Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) is a federal funding opportunity administered by the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is designed to support promising graduate students who are nearing completion of their doctoral research and are preparing to transition into postdoctoral research careers. The program aligns with NIH’s broader mission to advance biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research by cultivating a highly skilled and diverse scientific workforce capable of addressing national health challenges. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to provide structured, mentored research training across two consecutive phases. The F99 phase supports one to two years of predoctoral training focused on completing dissertation research, while the K00 phase provides up to three years of postdoctoral research and career development support. The program is intended to ensure continuity in training, enabling recipients to build advanced research skills, gain independence, and successfully transition into productive scientific careers. Applicants are expected to present a comprehensive training plan that includes both phases and demonstrates alignment with NIH institute missions. Funding supports stipends, tuition and fees, and institutional allowances during the F99 phase, while the K00 phase provides salary, fringe benefits, and research development support. Allowable costs include research supplies, equipment, travel for scientific meetings, and career development activities. However, the program does not permit applicants to lead independent clinical trials, though participation in sponsor-led trials is allowed. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Eligibility is limited to individuals currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent research doctoral program who are in the dissertation phase and expect to complete their degree within one to two years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents. Sponsoring institutions must be capable of supporting high-quality research training and include a broad range of eligible entities such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, and government organizations. However, foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, though certain international collaborations may be permitted without funding. Applications must be submitted through NIH-approved electronic systems such as Grants.gov or ASSIST. Required components include a detailed research training plan, candidate statements, sponsor mentoring plans, institutional certification, and reference letters. Evaluation criteria emphasize the candidate’s preparedness and potential, the rigor and feasibility of the research training plan, and the strength of the mentoring and institutional environment. Applications undergo peer review followed by advisory council review before final funding decisions are made. The application cycle follows standard NIH submission deadlines occurring multiple times annually, with key dates including August, December, and April cycles. The earliest submission date for this opportunity is July 8, 2026, with the first deadline on August 8, 2026. Awards are contingent upon successful review and funding availability, with project start dates typically occurring several months after submission. The program is recurring and remains active through its expiration date of April 9, 2029, providing multiple opportunities for eligible applicants to apply.

Align research plan clearly with NIH institute mission and demonstrate strong mentorship and transition readiness between phases