Notice Number: NOT-NS-06-011

Key Dates
Release Date: August 25, 2006

Issued by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), (http://www.ninds.nih.gov)

Purpose

The Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25) supports the career development of investigators with quantitative scientific and engineering backgrounds outside of the field of biology or medicine who have made a commitment to behavioral, biomedical, and clinically-oriented research (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-087.html). The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) considers this mechanism to be a valuable means of bringing new investigators with unique training and expertise to research of relevance to the mission of the Institute. The purpose of this Notice is to clarify the current NINDS guidelines concerning the criteria for funding meritorious K25 applications.  Priority consideration will be given to K25 applications where the following conditions are met:

• The K25 applicant is within the early stages of career development, i.e., within 5 years of earning his/her advanced degree in a quantitative area of science or engineering (M.S.E.E., Ph.D., D.Sc., etc.).
• The applicant does not already have an extensive peer-reviewed publication record in the neurosciences.
• The applicant proposes a research and career development plan that integrates his/her quantitative scientific and engineering expertise to neuroscience research.

Depending on the level of career development, there are several alternative funding mechanisms for investigators with quantitative scientific and engineering backgrounds to consider:

• Junior investigators who have already received predoctoral training that integrates their quantitative specialty with neuroscience should consider applying for the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows (F32) program (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-373.html).
• Investigators with a substantial peer-reviewed publication record in the neurosciences are encouraged to pursue NIH research funding opportunities under other mechanisms, such as the R01, R21, or SBIR/STTR.
• Established investigators from the quantitative scientific and engineering fields seeking training in the neurosciences should consider the National Research Service Award for Senior Fellows (F33) program.

Applicants with questions regarding this guideline are encouraged to contact the NINDS Training Officer and discuss the potential application prior to the submission.

Inquiry

Direct your questions about this Notice to:

Stephen J. Korn, Ph.D.
Director of Training and Career Development
NIH/NINDS
Neuroscience Center, Room  2186
6001 Executive Blvd MSC 9531
Bethesda, MD 20892-9531
e-mail: [email protected]