NIDDK ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 38, October 27, 1995



P.T. 34



Keywords:

  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 

  Diabetes 

  Metabolic Diseases 

  0715133 



National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases



This addition to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) career

development program announcements provides further guidance for

potential applicants on the Independent Scientists Awards (K02) and

the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) from the

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

(NIDDK).  The following guidelines are intended to supplement, not

supplant, the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts announcement

(PA-95-053, Vol. 24, No. 15, April 28, 1995).  Consultation with

program staff is strongly encouraged prior to submitting an

application.



INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS AWARD (K02)



The purpose of the K02 awards is to provide support for newly

independent scientists who require a period of intensive research

focus to enhance their research careers so that they may realize

their potential to contribute to their scientific fields.  To be

considered eligible, a candidate must have at least three years of

independent, peer-reviewed research support (preferably

NIDDK-sponsored) remaining at the intended start date of the award.

All other requirements and review considerations are found in the

above-referenced Guide announcement.



MENTORED CLINICAL SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT AWARD (K08)



The purpose of the K08 award is to provide a flexible approach to

training for individuals committed to pursuing an independent

research career.  The award supports a three-, four-, or five-year

period of supervised research experience which may integrate didactic

studies with laboratory or clinically based research in areas related

to research programs in diabetes, endocrinology, cystic fibrosis,

metabolic diseases, digestive diseases, nutrition, obesity,

nephrology, hematology, and urology.



The NIDDK recognizes the need to provide flexible strategies for new

investigators who wish to obtain research experiences that will

enable them to pursue independent research careers.  Suitable

candidates should have completed their clinical training and should

be board-eligible.  During the award period, they may work

concurrently on a master's or doctoral degree.  Because candidates

exhibit a broad range of previous research experience, the program

design should be tailored to individual needs that will foster

research independence.  The following two examples are illustrative

of the spectrum of research backgrounds seen in eligible candidates,

but they are not all inclusive.



Applicants with Little or No Prior Research Experience



These individuals will require a more structured format that includes

didactic training and close supervision by an appropriate mentor.

Such a program may consist of two components.  The first one (usually

lasting two to three years) may include both didactic study and

initial laboratory experience conducted under the close supervision

of an individual with extensive research experience.   The didactic

plan must be clearly elucidated and tailored to the candidate's

specific needs.  The second component (up to three years) will be a

more intensive laboratory-based research experience under the

guidance of an appropriate scientific mentor and planned to foster

increasing independence through time.



Candidates with More Research Experience



These candidates typically have had at least two years of supervised

research experience, have clearly delineated an area of research

inquiry, and have demonstrated potential to pursue an independent

research career as evidenced by their publication record.  Given

their research experience, the candidates' program plan should be

outlined in greater detail, and the role of the sponsor(s), while

still important for advice and guidance, is less intense.  The needs

of the candidate and the program will define the type of mentorship

required.  For example, the first component might benefit from the

experience of a mentor recognized in a basic science discipline and

in training, whereas the second component might require an individual

with research-based experience in another area.  It also may be that

more than one mentor is appropriate for either component.  In that

case, a primary sponsor must be identified, and training

responsibilities must be delineated.  Up to $20,000 per year over the

candidate's salary may be requested for research support.  (If funds

for a technician are requested, both the salary and fringe benefits

are included in this amount.)



The K08 application will be evaluated on the merit of the program

design to foster the candidate's emerging research independence.

Also factored into this will be the candidate's credentials and

potential for a research career and the qualifications of the

sponsor(s) and plans to provide the necessary guidance.



INQUIRIES



Questions regarding the Program Announcement (PA-95-053) or this

document, may be directed to:



Dr. Ronald Margolis

Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Building 45, Room 5AN12

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-8819

Email:  rm76f@nih.gov



Dr. Judith Podskalny

Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Telephone:  (301) 594-8876

Email:  podskalnyj@ep.niddk.nih.gov



Dr. Charles Rodgers

Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Building 45, Room 6A19J

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 594-7717

Email:  rodgersc@ep.niddk.nih.gov



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