The Career Enhancement Award (K18)

Provides either full-time or part-time support for experienced scientists who wish to broaden their scientific capabilities or to make changes in their research careers by acquiring new research skills or knowledge. Career enhancement experiences supported by this award should usually last no more than one year.

Organization Eligibility

  • Eligibility: U.S. domestic institutions

Carefully read the Eligibility section of the funding opportunity for opportunity-specific organization eligibility requirements.

Project Director/ Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Eligibility

  • PD/PI U.S. Citizenship Requirement: Yes
  • Career Stage: Established Investigator

U.S. citizen or permanent resident, with research or clinical doctoral degree, at the rank of Associate or full Professor.

Carefully read the Eligibility section of the funding opportunity for opportunity-specific PD/PI eligibility requirements.

Award Information

  • Funding Instrument: Grant
  • Funding Category: Research Training and Career Development
  • Budget Mechanism Code: OR - Other Research Related
  • Mentored: Yes

Application and Submission Information

  • Reference Letters: Required (min 3 , max 5)

After identifying a funding opportunity, follow guidance in the How to Apply – Application Guide including any Career Development (K) instruction call-outs, except where instructed to do otherwise in the funding opportunity or related notices.

The Career Enhancement Award (K18)
Active Funding Opportunities
The NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts is NIH's official publication of notices of grant policies, guidelines, and funding opportunities.
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Due Dates

The Key Dates section of funding opportunities lists specific due dates. Many opportunities indicate Standard Due Dates apply.

Standard Application Due Dates (when applicable) Review and Award Cycles
New Renewal, Resubmission,
Revision as Allowed		 AIDS and AIDS Related
Grant Applications		 Scientific Merit Review Advisory Council
Review		 Earliest Start Date

Related Resources

This page last updated on: November 14, 2024
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