NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 027

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 027

The NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career development grant opportunity designed to help highly qualified dentist-scientists move from NIH intramural postdoctoral research training into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions at eligible extramural institutions. The central aim is to strengthen the pipeline of dentists who are prepared to lead independent research programs in dental, oral, and craniofacial health by giving them a structured transition path that starts inside the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) and then shifts to an external academic environment where they can establish themselves as independent investigators.

The award is structured in two distinct phases totaling up to five years of support. First, it provides up to two years of mentored postdoctoral research training conducted within the NIH Intramural Research Program, where the candidate continues to develop advanced research skills, publish, and refine a focused research direction under mentorship. Second, it provides up to three years of support at an extramural institution after the awardee secures an academic, tenure-track or equivalent faculty appointment. This latter phase is intended to function as a launchpad for independence, supporting the early years of a new faculty position while the investigator builds a lab or research program, generates preliminary data, and competes for longer-term research funding. As indicated by the title, clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity, meaning the proposed research activities must fit within NIH definitions that exclude conducting clinical trials.

This opportunity is offered by the NIH (Agency: National Institutes of Health) through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and is categorized as a discretionary grant within the health funding activity area (CFDA/Assistance Listing number 93.121). The funding opportunity number is PAR-25-027. The posted original closing date is January 7, 2028, reflecting a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted according to the announcement schedule and NIH receipt dates.

A wide range of organization types can serve as eligible applicants for the extramural phase, reflecting NIH’s broad eligibility framework. Eligible applicant organizations include public and private institutions of higher education; state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities, excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible institution categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition, which typically means discrete project elements may be carried out outside the U.S. under specific conditions and justification, even though the applicant organization itself must remain eligible and domestic.

In practical terms, this K22 is meant for dentist-scientists already positioned within NIH intramural postdoctoral training who are ready to compete for faculty roles and need a bridge that supports both final-stage mentored development and the critical first years of independence. The two-phase design is meant to reduce the career disruption that often occurs when moving from a postdoctoral environment into a new faculty role, while also encouraging a clear shift from mentored research to an independent program capable of attracting sustained external research support.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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