K02 GUIDE FOR REVIEWERS

Independent Scientist Award

Purpose of the Award

• Fosters the development of outstanding scientists and enables them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research
• Provides three, four, or five years of salary support and “protected time” for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers
• Fosters the development of outstanding scientists and to enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research

Application

• New: NOT-OD-20-033
  • Program Plan attachment – candidates expected to address, as applicable, new research skills they plan to acquire in rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative approaches, and data analysis and interpretation.
  • Applicants for diversity-related career development programs expected to attach a Description of Candidate’s Contribution to Program Goals.

Applicants

• Must hold a doctoral degree and independent peer reviewed research support at the time the award is made
• Must commit a minimum of 9 person-months (75% of full-time professional effort) conducting research and relevant career development activities during the period of the award
• Scientists whose work is primarily theoretical may apply for this award in the absence of external research grant support (depending on the NIH Institute or Center)
• Receipt of prior support may impact on eligibility for the K02 award
• Must demonstrate a commitment on the part of the applicant’s organization to provide the environment, resources and the protected time required for the candidate to perform the activities included in the proposed research and career development plans