Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32)

The K32 supports individual postdoctoral research training to broaden their scientific background and extend their potential for research in specified health-related areas. Candidates must be within 12 months before transitioning to the postdoctoral position, or within the first 2 years of their postdoctoral research experience. This award provides up to 3 years of mentored support.

Purpose

The purpose of this program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. 

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: No
  • Career Stage: Postdoctorate/Residency

U.S. citizen or non-citizen, within 12 months before transitioning to the postdoctoral position, or within the first 2 years of their postdoctoral research experience.

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)

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

Contact

  • Your organization's sponsored programs office or grants administrators can answer many internal and agency policy and process questions.
  • Understand NIH Staff Roles details how and when to find the right NIH contacts:
    • Before you apply, check your chosen funding opportunity for application submission, scientific/research, peer review, and financial/grants management contacts.  
    • After you apply, find NIH staff assignments in the Status module of eRA Commons.
This page last updated on: March 26, 2025
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