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Declare Your Path to Research Independence Through the NIH F99/K00 Funding Opportunity: Perspectives from NIH Institutes and Centers
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday and in the spirit of charting new paths, NIH is pleased to announce a new parent funding opportunity designed to help promising Ph.D. students take an important step toward research independence.
The NIH Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) (PA-27-037) is a phased award that supports outstanding doctoral students as they complete the final stages of their graduate training and transition into mentored postdoctoral positions. Early career transitions represent one of the most important—and often most uncertain—stages in the biomedical research pathway. The F99/K00 is designed to provide continuity of support during this period while enabling promising researchers to identify postdoctoral training environments that best prepare them for long-term research independence. Through this support, the program helps researchers develop the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to establish successful independent research careers. As a newer funding opportunity, the F99/K00 builds on NIH’s long-standing commitment to supporting this critical career transition. Through this program, NIH continues to strengthen the biomedical research workforce and foster the next generation of scientific leaders across a broad range of biomedical and behavioral science fields.
What makes this new program unique?
Part of NIH's broader effort to simplify the funding opportunity landscape, this parent funding opportunity provides a common application framework and experience across participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs). Rather than navigating multiple ICO-specific announcements with different structures, applicants can apply through a single parent opportunity while still being considered by participating ICOs whose missions align with their proposed research.
This program was intentionally designed with career development at its core, and that emphasis is evident throughout. Specifically, the program:
- Supports students who still require meaningful doctoral research and training before completing the Ph.D., followed by a mentored K00 postdoctoral phase.
- Encourages a move to a different institution for the K00 phase whenever possible, expanding scientific perspectives, collaborations, and professional networks.
- Encourages applicants to outline their approach for identifying a postdoctoral mentor after receiving the F99 award rather than requiring one at the time of application. Applicants are encouraged to thoughtfully consider how they will identify a postdoctoral mentor and describe their plans for acquiring the research, professional, and career development skills needed to achieve their long-term career goals.
- Emphasizes developing the research, training, and mentoring needed to launch an independent research career.
Planning your application
Prospective applicants should carefully review the full notice of funding opportunity (NOFO, including eligibility requirements and application instructions. Competitive applications will include:
- A detailed plan for completing the remaining doctoral research.
- A broad vision for the potential postdoctoral research and career development activities.
- A clear explanation of how the combined F99 and K00 phases will develop the skills, experiences, and scientific foundation needed for an independent research career.
The F99/K00 is intended for graduate students who are approaching the end of, but not yet completed, their doctoral training. This means it is especially important to consider application timing as part of your overall career planning. The first standard application receipt date is August 8, 2026, with additional standard due dates continuing through April 2029.
As with all NIH funding opportunities, F99/K00 applications must align with the scientific missions of the participating NIH ICOs. Below, we present F99-related scientific priority statements and additional guidance from several participating NIH ICOs (listed in no particular order) to help prospective applicants assess program fit, identify potential mentors, and refine long-term career goals. In some cases, this guidance may also be useful for other ICOs participating in the parent F99/K00 funding opportunity. Because assignment to a participating ICO is based on the scientific focus of the proposed research, applicants should carefully consider which ICO best aligns with their anticipated postdoctoral research direction.
Through sustained NIH support, the F99/K00 plays a critical role in advancing a strong biomedical research workforce. By investing in scientists at a pivotal career stage, the program helps position promising investigators for long-term success and leadership in biomedical science.
This program helps develop the next generation of scientists to address emerging public health challenges and advance research on infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. NIAID encourages innovative, rigorous research that advances fundamental knowledge and supports the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly in areas such as chronic inflammation, the microbiome, food allergies, autoimmunity, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Applicants should demonstrate how the F99/K00 will support their transition to research independence through a strong training plan, clear alignment with NIAID's mission and priorities, and well-defined skill development across both award phases. We encourage potential applicants contact NIAID program staff early to discuss program fit, scientific alignment, and any other Institute-specific considerations. NIAID's profile page shares more information.
NINDS participates in the Academic Career Transition Initiative for Opportunities in Neuroscience (ACTION) Potential Award through this new Parent F99/K00 funding opportunity. Through a partnership with the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research and the BRAIN Initiative, the ACTION Potential Award supports promising early career researchers as they transition to independent neuroscience careers. The program also offers opportunities to pursue interdisciplinary research across various ICO missions between the Ph.D. and postdoctoral phases, providing more opportunities to advance biomedical discovery and challenges facing brain health, aging, and disease. Interested applicants should apply through the standard process, as the ACTION Potential award does not have any unique application requirements. Furthermore, NINDS may make additional awards within our mission based on receipt of meritorious applications, program priorities, and available funds. Applicants should present a detailed research and training plan that demonstrates a clear path to research independence from their postdoctoral scholarship. We also encourage early career researchers to have a thoughtful strategy for selecting a postdoctoral mentor and developing the skills needed to achieve their career goals. NINDS' profile page shares more information.
NIMH welcomes F99/K00 applications centered on basic neuroscience, genetics, translational research, services and intervention research, and HIV-related research. As described in NINDS’ description, NIMH also participates in the ACTION Potential Award targeted to neuroscience trainees through this Parent funding opportunity. There are no separate application requirements for the ACTION Potential award. NIH Blueprint will identify relevant applications and provide funding as a joint effort in neuroscience. Importantly, we will still consider applications from trainees conducting research other than neuroscience if the proposed research falls within NIMH’s broader mission. When seeking our support, applicants should present a detailed research and training plan demonstrating a well-defined path to research independence from their postdoctoral scholarship. Additionally, we encourage applicants to develop a thoughtful strategy for selecting a postdoctoral mentor and detailed plans to acquire the skills needed to achieve their career goals. Learn more on the NIMH profile page.
This parent funding opportunity advances NHGRI’s commitment to preparing the next generation of scientists and scholars to advance our understanding of the genome and its ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) for human health. NHGRI welcomes candidates from a wide range of disciplines, including those outside genomics interested in transitioning their K00 training toward genomics or ELSI research. Proposed research should align with NHGRI’s research priorities, highlighted topics, and strategic vision and develop generalizable methods, technologies, or knowledge in genomics and use approaches that are comprehensive across the genome or broadly applicable. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NHGRI program staff early to discuss their research interests, eligibility, and alignment with NHGRI priorities before preparing an application. NHGRI’s profile page shares more information.
To ensure the vitality and continued productivity of the biomedical research enterprise, NIGMS supports promising biomedical scientists through critical career transitions, including predoctoral students to postdoctoral scholarship. NIGMS is committed to fostering a strong national research workforce by encouraging applications from a broad range of institutions that can support rigorous fellowship training, including those in IDeA-eligible states, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and resource-limited institutions.
NIGMS supports fundamental research and technology development that advances understanding of the basic principles, mechanisms, and processes underlying living systems, rather than research focused on specific diseases, organs, life stages, or populations. Applicants should thoughtfully develop every component of their application to demonstrate how the fellowship will advance both their scientific and career goals. For the F99 phase, it is especially important to justify the need for at least one year of additional research training and professional development. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate NIGMS program staff early to discuss program fit. NIGMS' profile page shares more information.
NIDCD is dedicated to strengthening the future biomedical workforce within our priority research areas of hearing and balance, chemical senses, voice, speech, and language. In so doing, we strive to help graduate students transition from predoctoral training to postdoctoral scholarship through this specific F99/K00 parent funding opportunity. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact NIDCD program staff to discuss their research ideas, alignment with our mission and priorities, and learn more about the process prior to submitting an application. NIDCD's profile page shares more information.
NIA is excited to support graduate students as they transition to postdoctoral positions in aging research, helping strengthen the next generation of the aging-research workforce. We welcome innovative research across the spectrum of aging science—including basic, behavioral, translational, and clinical research—with particular interest in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Prospective candidates may include both students already conducting aging research and those planning to transition into the field during their postdoctoral training. They are also encouraged to contact NIA program staff early to discuss program fit, available support, and selecting a mentor and institution that will best position them for an independent research career. NIA's profile page shares more information.