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Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08)

The NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) provides support and "protected time" to non-tenured clinician-scientists at the early career stage for an intensive, mentored research career development experience in basic, translational, and/or patient-oriented cancer-focused-research.

Eligible candidates must be clinicians with active U.S licensure. A copy of active U.S. clinical licensure must be included in the application under Other Attachments. K08 awardees are expected to maintain active clinical licensure during the K08 award.

For more complete information, reference Program Announcements PA-19-116 (Parent K08- Independent Clinical Trial Required) and PA-19-117 (Parent K08- Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), as well as  NOT-CA-17-042, and/or contact the program staff.

Applicant Eligibility

Citizenship

At the time of the award the candidate must be:

  • a United States citizen,
  • or a non-citizen national,
  • or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (1-151 or 1-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident.

Citizenship or green card is not needed to apply. Citizenship or green card is needed at the time of award issuance.
Foreign Nationals with Student Visas Not eligible for this award
Degree/Academic Appointment

The candidate must be a clinician with active U.S. clinical licensure. Acceptable clinical doctoral degrees include (but not limited to) the following:

  • M.D.
  • D.O.
  • D.D.S.
  • D.M.D.
  • O.D.
  • D.C.
  • Pharm. D.
  • N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathy)
  • D.V.M.

Individuals with a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in clinical disciplines such as clinical psychology, nursing, clinical genetics, speech-language pathology, audiology or rehabilitation are also eligible. Individuals with doctorates in non-clinical disciplines who are certified to perform clinical duties should contact program staff to determine their eligibility for a K08 award.
Effort Level/ Commitment Candidate must commit a minimum of 9 person months (75%) full-time professional effort to the K08 Career Development Award.
Duration of the Award 3-5 years; the K08 Award is not renewable

Budget

Financial Support

Salary (NOT-CA-17-042) Up to legislative salary cap + fringe benefits
Research Development Support: Tuition/Fees, Supplies/Equipment, Travel, and Statistical Support Up to $50K/year
F&A Costs/Indirect Costs 8%
Ancillary Personnel Support: Salary for Mentors, Secretarial and Administrative Assistance, etc. Not allowed

How to Apply

  • Applications must be submitted electronically.
  • Applicants must follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. of the Program Announcement.
  • When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions in the Program Announcement.
  • Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not be accepted for review.

For assistance with application submission, please see the Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact eRA Commons Help Desk/Grant.gov contact Center. 

Application Receipt Dates and Review Schedule

Receipt Cycle Receipt Date: New Application Receipt Date: Resubmission Application Initial Review Council Review Earliest Possible Project Start Date*
1 February 12 March 12 June/July September/
October		 December
2 June 12 July 12 October/
November		 January/
February		 April
3 October 12 November 12 February/March May/June July

*Start dates are determined by the availability of NCI funds and may not occur until well after the earliest possible start date.

Applications are due by 5 pm local time.

When a standard submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Review and Selection Process

The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) review applications for completeness and for conformance to all eligibility requirements and special provisions and requirements. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.

Subcommittee J, convened by the Division of Extramural Activities of the NCI, evaluates applications according to the review criteria listed in the Program Announcement. Before an award is made, the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB) conducts a second level of review and ensures that an application meets the broad program needs and priorities of the NCI and the National Cancer Program.

For review criteria for the K08 grant mechanism, see Section V.  Application Review Information of the Program Announcement.

Resources

NCI Staff Contacts

For additional information regarding policies and/or guidance in preparing an application for the K08 Award, contact:

For information regarding fiscal and/or budget issues, contact:

For information regarding review issues, contact:

    • Referral Officer
      Division of Extramural Activities
      Phone: 240-276-6390
  • Updated: December 26, 2018