NIH NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)

Internal Proposal Deadline – 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2020

What: The purpose of the NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) is to encourage and retain outstanding graduate students recognized by their institutions for their high potential and strong interest in pursuing careers as independent cancer researchers. The award will facilitate the transition of talented graduate students into successful cancer research postdoctoral appointments, and provide opportunities for career development activities relevant to their long-term career goals of becoming independent cancer researchers.

The F99/K00 award is meant to provide up to 6 years of support in two phases. The initial (F99) phase will provide support for 1-2 years of dissertation research (final experiments, dissertation preparation, and selection of a postdoctoral mentor). The second (K00) phase will provide up to 4 years of mentored postdoctoral research and career development support, contingent upon successful completion of the doctoral degree requirements and securing a cancer-focused postdoctoral position. The two award phases are intended to be continuous in time.

NOTE: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) does not allow applicants to propose to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow applicants to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a sponsor or co-sponsor.

Who: In addition to the following, additional eligibility clarification is provided under The F99/K00: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Potential candidates are encouraged to discuss their individual situation with the NCI Scientific Program Contact prior to seeking institutional nomination.

  • The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree and be currently enrolled as a graduate student in the third or fourth year of a mentored PhD program in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences.
  • The applicant must be at the dissertation research stage of training at the time of award, and must show evidence of high academic performance in the sciences and commitment to a career as an independent cancer research scientist.
  • F99 awardees are required to pursue their research training on a full-time basis, normally defined as 40 hours per week or as specified by the sponsoring institution.
  • The applicant must identify an F99 sponsor(s) who will supervise the proposed dissertation research training experience.
    • The primary sponsor should be the applicant's primary dissertation research advisor and be committed both to the applicant’s research training and to direct supervision of his/her research.
    • When there is a sponsor team, one individual must be identified as the primary sponsor who will coordinate the applicant’s training program.
  • The F99/K00 award may not be used to support studies leading to the MD, DDS, or other clinical, health-professional degree.
  • Students matriculated in a dual-degree program (e.g. MD/PhD, DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, or DVM/PhD) are not eligible for the F99/K00 program.

When: Internal Deadline – 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21
            Sponsor Deadline – Wednesday, November 18

How: The internal proposal must include the following five parts:

  1. Cover page listing
    • Applicant name and email
    • Supervisor/sponsor name and email
    • Project Title
  2. Project Overview (2 page limit) addressing the following:
    • Doctoral Dissertation and Research Experience - Include a description of how the combination of past research experiences and the F99/K00 plans contribute to achieving the long-term career goal.
    • Training Goals and Objectives - Describe the long-term career goal and explain how the F99/K00 will enable the attainment of that goal.
  3. Activities Planned Under This Award (2 page limit)
    • Describe the scientific and professional development activities planned for each phase and explain how the activities will facilitate the transition to each subsequent career stage.
    • Provide a brief description of the research to be completed in the F99 phase.
    • Identify the research direction to be pursued for the K00 phase.
  4. Applicant’s NIH Biosketch
  5. Sponsor’s NIH Biosketch

Please combine the five components of the internal application in a single PDF file and email to [email protected] by 9:00 a.m.on Monday, September 21, 2020. The subject heading of the email should be "NCI Pred to Postdoc".

Questions should be sent to Greg Culler at [email protected].