Learn how NIAID Research Career Development (K) Awards may help you establish, enhance, or transition into an independent biomedical research career. Broadly speaking, these awards provide a researcher with salary support ($75,000 to $100,000, depending on the award) and research support (ranging from $20,000 to $50,000) for a predetermined duration of time (from 2 to 5 years).
While this article focuses on career development (K) awards, we encourage you to also explore other types of NIAID Training and Career Development Grant Programs, like training (T) and fellowship (F) grants.
Check eligibility. K programs support postdoctoral scholars and scientists at early- and mid-career stages, including those from diverse backgrounds and/or returning to biomedical careers. All K awards (except K99/R00) require eligible scientists to have either U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551). Individuals with student or temporary visas are not eligible.
Choose a K program and opportunity. NIAID supports a wide variety of Types of K Awards, each with different target audiences, funding amounts, durations, effort requirements, eligibility, and rules. (Other NIH institutes and centers support different K programs and funding levels. Find a full list at NIH's Research Career Development Awards Kiosk.)
With so many options, how do you learn more about NIAID K opportunities and decide which would be the best fit for your career stage and plans?
- Check the timelines at Choose an Award by Career Stage and get an overview at Understanding Research Career Development (K) Award Specifics.
- Compare program summaries for Types of K Awards at NIAID, then find details in the notices of funding opportunity (NOFO) when you Search for Active NIAID K Opportunities.
- If you are considering mentored or clinical opportunities, read Know What to Look for When Choosing a Mentor and scenarios for Clinical Trials and NIAID Research Career Development (K) Opportunities.
- Before you finalize your choice, get further advice from NIH K program staff. For NIAID, find contact information below.
Find K application advice and instructions. The NIAID Application Advice for Research Career Development (K) Awards guide shares approaches you can use to address the review criteria, get effective reference and institutional letters, align your career development plan with your professional goals, form a strong mentoring team, create a solid Research Plan, and much more.
You can also find NIAID’s general guidance on how to Apply for a Grant and check the NIAID Sample Applications for K01 and K08. Be sure to follow the supplemental instructions for K applications in the SF 424 Application Guide. Your chosen NOFO will specify the application due date or instruct you to follow the NIH Standard Due Dates for the K series.
NIAID awards and contact information. If you plan to apply for a K award in NIAID Mission areas of science, use the approaches described at Find Funded Projects and More Using NIH Databases to learn about NIAID- and NIH-funded areas of research and K projects.
For further guidance, reach out to our program expert Dr. Jyothi Arikkath. Include your NIH-formatted biographical sketch (Create Biosketches) and Specific Aims page (Draft Specific Aims) so Dr. Arikkath can advise you on your eligibility for a particular K program and whether your proposed research aligns with NIAID.