Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
and Human Services (HHS)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
The purpose of this Notice is to inform the applicants of a change to eligibility criteria for the Kidney, Urology or Hematology (KUH) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Awards (F99/K00). Previously, graduate students who are already involved in K, U, or H research were not eligible to apply for the F99/K00 award. This eligibility criteria is now modified and graduate students that are already involved in K, U, or H research are eligible to apply.
Change to the Application Instructions
Part 1. Overview Information
Funding Opportunity Purpose
Currently Reads:
The purpose of the Kidney, Urology or Hematology (KUH) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) is to recruit truly exceptional graduate students, who are currently not involved in Kidney, Urology or Hematology (K, U or H) research, and provide them a stable transition into a postdoctoral research experience focused on K, U, or H research. Strong candidates will bring novel approaches and diverse perspectives from fields including, but not limited to, engineering, statistics, data science, imaging, biochemistry, neuroscience and genetics. Graduate students who are already involved in K, U, or H research are not eligible for this F99/K00 award and are instead encouraged to apply for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31, PA-21-051). Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NIDDK Program Official early in the process to discuss eligibility and program goals.
Revised to read (italicized and bolded below):
The purpose of the Kidney, Urology or Hematology (KUH) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) is to recruit truly exceptional graduate students from diverse research fields, and provide them a stable transition into a postdoctoral research experience focused on K, U, or H research. Strong candidates will bring novel approaches and diverse perspectives from all fields including, but not limited to, engineering, statistics, data science, imaging, biochemistry, neuroscience and genetics. Graduate students who are already involved in K, U, or H research are also eligible for this F99/K00 award. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NIDDK Program Official early in the process to discuss eligibility and program goals.
Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Currently Reads:
Innovation requires novel approaches and diverse perspectives, yet opportunities for recruiting new talent into Kidney (K), Urologic (U), or Hematologic (H) diseases research are limited. The goal of this program is to recruit the best and brightest graduate students – who are currently not involved in K, U or H research and transition them to postdoctoral research focused on K, U or H research It is expected that this program will be attractive to:
The F99/K00 award is intended for individuals who require up to 2 years to complete their Ph.D. dissertation research training (F99 phase) and provide them with a stable transition into mentored postdoctoral research training (K00 phase) for up to 4 years. While the F99 phase cannot include K, U or H research, the K00 phase must focus on K, U or H research. It is anticipated that successful completion of this phased award will make the individual highly competitive for a subsequent NIDDK award (e.g., K99/R00, K01, R01).
Revised to read (italicized and bolded below):
Innovation requires novel approaches and diverse perspectives, yet opportunities for recruiting new talent into Kidney (K), Urologic (U), or Hematologic (H) diseases research are limited. The goal of this program is to recruit the best and brightest graduate students who may or may not currently be involved in K, U or H research and transition them to postdoctoral research focused on K, U or H research. It is expected that this program will be attractive to:
The F99/K00 award is intended for individuals who require up to 2 years to complete their Ph.D. dissertation research training (F99 phase) and provide them with a stable transition into mentored postdoctoral research training (K00 phase) for up to 4 years. While the F99 phase may or may not include K, U or H research, the K00 phase must focus on K, U or H research. It is anticipated that successful completion of this phased award will make the individual highly competitive for a subsequent NIDDK award (e.g., K99/R00, K01, R01).
Part 2. Section III. Eligibility Information
Currently Reads:
Exceptional graduate students from a diverse and broad range of scientific disciplines including, but not limited to, engineering, statistics, data science, imaging, biochemistry, neuroscience and genetics are encouraged to apply. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree, have completed their candidacy exam, and be at the dissertation research stage of training at the time of award. The applicant must be within two years of completing their mentored PhD or equivalent research degree program (e.g., Dr.PH, ScD) at the time of the application. The current dissertation research topic cannot be focused on K, U, or H research. Applications which propose K, U, or H research for the F99 phase are ineligible for this F99/K00 award and will be administratively withdrawn. Graduate students who are already involved in K, U, or H research are instead encouraged to apply for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31, PA-21-051).
K00 mentor(s)
It is strongly encouraged that the applicant identifies a future post-doctoral phase (K00) mentor(s) before submitting the application. While t is not necessary for the post-doctoral project to be fully developed at the time of application submission, the K00 mentor is expected to work with the applicant in addressing how their graduate research experience can be leveraged to address a K, U or H-related research direction.
If a K00 mentor is not identified at the time of application submission, the F99 sponsor is expected to work with the applicant to address a strategy of identifying a K00 mentor and address how the graduate research experience can be potentially leveraged to address a K, U or H-related research direction.
Revised to read (italicized and bolded below):
Exceptional graduate students from a diverse and broad range of scientific disciplines including, but not limited to, engineering, statistics, data science, imaging, biochemistry, neuroscience and genetics are encouraged to apply. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree, have completed their candidacy exam, and be at the dissertation research stage of training at the time of award. The applicant must be within two years of completing their mentored PhD or equivalent research degree program (e.g., Dr.PH, ScD) at the time of the application. The current dissertation research topic may or may not be focused on K, U, or H research.
3. Sponsor
K00 mentor(s)
It is strongly encouraged that the applicant identifies a future post-doctoral phase (K00) mentor(s) before submitting the application. It is not necessary for the post-doctoral project to be fully developed at the time of application submission. If the applicant comes from a non, K, U or H research background, the K00 mentor is expected to work with the applicant in addressing how their graduate research experience can be leveraged to address a K, U or H-related research direction.
If a K00 mentor is not identified at the time of application submission, the F99 sponsor is expected to work with the applicant to address a strategy of identifying a K00 mentor and address how the graduate research experience can be potentially leveraged to address a K, U or H-related research direction.
Part 2. Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Currently Reads:
Research Training Plan
Specific Aims
Specific Aim 1 (F99 phase): The Dissertation Research Project (not within the mission of KUH). Provide a detailed description of the non-KUH research to be completed in the F99 phase.
Specific Aim 2 (K00 phase): The Postdoctoral Research Direction (within the mission of KUH). With guidance from the K00 mentor (or the F99 sponsor if a K00 mentor has not yet been identified at the time of application), identify a K, U or H research direction to be pursued during the K00 phase. More information about the KUH research programs can be found at the NIDDK/KUH website.
Research Strategy
Specific Aim 1 (F99 phase): Dissertation Research Project (not within the mission of KUH):
Significance
Provide an overview of the non-KUH dissertation research, including the scientific question being addressed and its potential impact on the dissertation research field.
Specific Aim 2 (K00 phase): Postdoctoral Research Direction (within the mission of KUH):
Significance
Explain the significance of the proposed K00 research direction. Describe a specific question or observation that might be investigated. Explain how this question or observation is related to the applicant's research interests and how it builds on skills acquired in the F99 phase. Explain how this work will advance K, U or H research.
Revised to read (italicized and bolded below):
Research Training Plan
Specific Aims
Specific Aim 1 (F99 phase): The Dissertation Research Project. Provide a detailed description of the research to be completed in the F99 phase.
Specific Aim 2 (K00 phase): The Postdoctoral Research Direction. With guidance from the K00 mentor (or the F99 sponsor if a K00 mentor has not yet been identified at the time of application), identify a K, U or H research direction to be pursued during the K00 phase. More information about the KUH research programs can be found at the NIDDK/KUH website.
Research Strategy
Specific Aim 1 (F99 phase): Dissertation Research Project:
Significance
Provide an overview of the dissertation research, including the scientific question being addressed and its potential impact on the dissertation research field.
Specific Aim 2 (K00 phase): Postdoctoral Research Direction:
Significance
Explain the significance of the proposed K00 research direction, particularly if the F99 phase is not focused on K, U or H research. Describe a specific question or observation that might be investigated. Explain how this question or observation is related to the applicant's research interests and how it builds on skills acquired in the F99 phase. Explain how this work will advance K, U or H research.
Christine Maric-Bilkan, Ph.D. (for Kidney- and Urology-focused research)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-435-0486
Email: christine.maric-bilkan@nih.gov
Shilpa Hattangadi, M.D. (for Hematology-focused research)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-827-7442
Email: shilpam.hattangadi@nih.gov