As part of an ongoing joint initiative with the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, NIH continues its support of exceptional early-stage clinical researchers through the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2/R00, Clinical Trial Optional).
Note that the Program’s goal is to support a small number of researchers; therefore, participating ICs anticipate making only five awards in fiscal year 2023.
One Program, Two Phases
The Program is composed of two phases:
- Phase 1 (intramural Si2 phase)—scholars will receive five to seven years of support within the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) as a tenure-track investigator in a participating NIH institute or center (IC).
- Phase 2 (intramural or extramural R00 phase)—after completing at least five years in the first phase, scholars may choose one of two options:
- Remain in the IRP with continued intramural funding and potential progression to tenured senior investigator status.
- Continue research at an extramural institution after obtaining an extramural position and undergoing a programmatic review during Phase 1. For the extramural phase (R00), applicants can request direct costs of up to $499,000 per year for up to three years.
Are You Eligible?
The answer is “yes,” if you have:
- An M.D./Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., R.N./Ph.D., or equivalent clinical doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution
- A professional license to practice clinically in the United States
- Demonstrated sufficient patient-oriented research experience to qualify for a tenure-track level appointment
While you do not have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, if selected, you must qualify for and maintain appropriate visa or residency status throughout both phases of the program. Additionally, you must be able to be credentialled at the NIH Clinical Center. If you come from a foreign medical school, you must pass all parts of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Certification test before applying.
Touch Base With Staff: The Sooner, The Better
Each participating IC has preferred areas of clinical research interest. For NIAID, they are clinical allergy/immunology, clinical infectious diseases, and virology.
To get feedback about whether your proposed research is appropriate to the goals of the IRP, we strongly encourage you to consult with IC staff at least 10 weeks before the application due date, which is June 24, 2022. NIAID's scientific/research contact is Dr. Karyl Barron; reach her at 301-402-2208 or Kbarron@nih.gov.
For additional information on the Program itself, go to NIH’s Lasker Clinical Research Scholars website.