Jul 9, 2025, 15:06

Career Transition Award (K22)

The NIH K22 Career Transition Award supports newly trained basic or clinical researchers through a two-phase program—initial mentored intramural research at the NIH followed by independent extramural research funding—facilitating the establishment of an independent research record and long-term research career.

Eligibility Criteria

Citizenship: U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Degree: PhD, MD, or equivalent clinical/research doctoral degree.
Career Stage: Early-career investigator (postdoctoral/residency level) transitioning to independence.
Institutional: Intramural appointment at NIH for Phase I; must secure an extramural institution for Phase II support.

Funding Details

Instrument: Grant (OR – Other Research Related).
Category: Research Training & Career Development.
Phases:
1. Phase I (Intramural): Mentored research at NIH (up to 2 years).
2. Phase II (Extramural): Independent research at a domestic institution (up to 3 years).
Support: Salary and research development costs in both phases; mentoring requirement varies by phase.

Deadlines & Process:

Standard Due Dates (annual):

New Applications: February 12, June 12, October 12
Resubmissions: March 12, July 12, November 12
Review Cycle: Merit Review June–July, Oct–Nov, Feb–Mar; Advisory Council Aug/Oct, Jan/Apr; Earliest Start Sept/Dec, May/July

Follow the K22 Parent Announcement instructions and submit via Grants.gov and eRA Commons.

Where to Apply & Further Information

FOA & Instructions: Search “K22” on the NIH Parent Announcements page: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/parent_announcements.htm
Submission Portals:
- Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Portal)
- eRA Commons (Institutional submission and tracking)
Reference Letters: Minimum 3, maximum 5 required.
Contacts: Consult your institution’s sponsored programs office and NIH institute contacts listed in the FOA.