NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01) | PAR 18 365

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 365

The NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) career development grant designed to broaden and strengthen the diversity of the cancer research workforce funded by NCI. Its central goal is to support researchers from groups that are nationally underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical sciences, helping them build a strong, independent research trajectory in cancer-related fields. The award is structured around a mentored career development experience, meaning the applicant is expected to conduct research and receive intensive guidance from an experienced mentor while developing the skills, publications, and professional foundation needed for long-term success in cancer research.

A defining feature of this opportunity is that it provides both salary support and research support for a sustained period of protected time. In practical terms, the K01 is meant to buy down competing duties so the awardee can focus heavily on research and career development activities rather than being pulled primarily into teaching, service, or other responsibilities. This protected time is paired with a formal mentoring relationship and a career development plan, so the award is not just funding for a project but an investment in the applicant as an emerging cancer researcher.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under NCI, and it is categorized as a discretionary grant program within the broad activity area of education and health (CFDA 93.398). The funding opportunity title is "NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01)," and the opportunity number is PAR-18-365. The source information lists an original closing date of 2021-05-07 and a creation date of 2017-11-17. The notice does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text.

Eligibility is broad at the organization level and includes many U.S.-based entities that commonly apply for NIH grants. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, when specified in the listing); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other categories indicated by NIH. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types 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), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity draws a firm line on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In addition, foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed under this FOA. This means the applicant organization and the funded work are expected to be based in the United States (including allowable U.S. jurisdictions) without a foreign component as part of the proposed project structure.

Overall, this K01 is best understood as a mentored, research-focused career development mechanism intended to help underrepresented investigators gain the time, resources, and structured mentorship needed to become competitive, independent cancer researchers within the NCI-funded ecosystem.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 18 365

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