Research career development K award, CDA, prior research support

12.3.7 Prior Research Support

For most mentored career development awards, individuals are eligible to apply if they have previously served as the PD/PI of an NIH Small Grant (R03), Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21), Planning Grant (R34/U34), Dissertation Award (R36), SBIR/STTR Award, Transition Scholar Award (K38) or been appointed to an institutional career development program (K12, KL2). The K99/R00 program, however, has different eligibility requirements related to prior research support and those are detailed in the funding opportunity announcement.

In general, for mentored CDAs, individuals are NOT eligible if they:

  • Are current and former PDs/PIs on NIH research project (R01), program project (P01), center grants (P50), other major individual career development awards (e.g., DP5, K01, K07, K08, K22, K23, K25, K76, K99/R00), or

  • Project Leads of program project (P01) or center grant (P50) sub-projects, or the equivalent.

Most independent (non-mentored) CDAs require that the applicant have independent, peer-reviewed support at the time the award is made. Some of the participating NIH ICs require the candidate to have an NIH research grant at the time of application and that the support be from their IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award.. Other NIH ICs will accept candidates with peer-reviewed, independent research support from other sources. Applicants must check the FOA for specific eligibility requirements.