Mentored Career Development Program for Early Stage Investigators Using Nonhuman Primate Research Models (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 23 073

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 073

The NIH funding opportunity PAR-23-073, titled "Mentored Career Development Program for Early Stage Investigators Using Nonhuman Primate Research Models (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," supports early-stage investigators who want to build an independent research career centered on nonhuman primate (NHP) models used for translational biomedical research. The core aim is to give promising scientists a substantial period of protected time, structured training, and mentored research experience so they can develop the skills, track record, and scientific maturity needed to compete successfully for independent research funding later on, such as an R01. The program is built around the idea that NHP models can address complex biological and disease questions in ways that are difficult to accomplish in other systems, especially when the goal is to move findings toward clinical application.

This K01 mechanism is explicitly career development focused and can provide support for up to five years. During that period, awardees are expected to pursue an intensive, research-driven career development plan that combines hands-on research with targeted training activities. A key feature is the requirement for a strong mentorship team: mentors should have clear expertise in applying NHP models in preclinical research and also in translating insights from those studies toward human health applications. In practice, this means the award is not just paying for a project; it is investing in the investigator, including their technical growth in NHP-based methodologies, their understanding of translational pathways (such as biomarker development, therapeutic evaluation, or mechanistic studies that inform human trials), and their professional development toward research independence.

The scientific focus is translational biomedical research that leverages NHP models to generate outcomes that can plausibly inform or accelerate clinical advances. The FOA emphasizes increasing the number of highly skilled researchers who can responsibly and effectively use NHPs to tackle biomedical problems that benefit from these models, with an eye toward bridging preclinical and clinical work. By the end of the award period, NIH expects awardees to be positioned as independent investigators with a clear research niche, publications and preliminary data supporting future applications, and a competitive trajectory for major research project grants.

A major boundary condition of this specific announcement is the clinical trial restriction embedded in the title: "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed." Applicants cannot propose a project in which they would lead an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. However, the FOA does allow applicants to gain clinical trial experience if the trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. This distinction matters for applicants who want exposure to clinical research without taking on the regulatory and leadership responsibilities of directing a trial as the primary trial investigator under this award.

Eligibility is broad across many types of organizations that can serve as applicant institutions, including state, county, city, or special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments as well as other tribal organizations. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANAPISIs), along with eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the announcement is clear that foreign entities are not eligible to apply: non-U.S. institutions cannot apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed.

The program is offered as a grant under NIH, within the health funding activity category, and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.351, 93.855, and 93.866. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $75,000 (as provided in the source data) and an original closing date of January 7, 2026. Overall, the FOA is best viewed as a structured runway for early-stage investigators to deepen expertise in NHP-based translational science, produce rigorous preclinical research with a clear line of sight to clinical impact, and emerge ready to compete for independent NIH research funding.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Career Development Program for Early Stage Investigators Using Nonhuman Primate Research Models (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.351, 93.855, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 23 073

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