International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) | PAR 17 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 002

The International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career development grant designed to help early-career U.S. researchers build the skills, experience, and track record needed to become independent, externally funded global health scientists. The core idea is to provide substantial protected time and support for a sustained mentored research and training experience lasting three to five years, with the work centered in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) as classified by the World Bank (covering low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries). The program is aimed at positioning recipients to transition from mentored training into an independently funded research career focused on global health questions and solutions.

This opportunity is geared toward advanced postdoctoral U.S. research scientists and recently appointed U.S. junior faculty who are at least two years beyond receipt of their doctoral degree. Applicants can come from any health-related discipline, reflecting NIH's broad interest in global health across clinical research, public health, behavioral and social sciences, implementation science, health systems, biomedical sciences, and other related areas. A central expectation is that the applicant proposes both a structured career development plan and a well-defined research project, and that both are clearly relevant to the health priorities and needs of the LMIC where the work will take place. In other words, the research is expected to be locally meaningful and aligned with on-the-ground realities, not simply an extension of U.S.-centric priorities.

Mentorship is a defining feature of the IRSDA. The award requires a team-based approach that includes both LMIC and U.S. mentors, supporting a training environment where the awardee gains rigorous research development while also learning how to work effectively in international settings. The mentored experience is intended to be intensive and immersive, giving the awardee time and structure to develop expertise in global health research methods, strengthen scientific leadership and collaboration skills, and establish a foundation of productivity that can support future independent grant applications. The emphasis on protected time signals that the program is meant to reduce competing demands so the recipient can focus heavily on research and career development.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other qualifying organizations. The announcement explicitly includes several categories of institutions as eligible applicants, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). At the same time, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply directly, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed under NIH policy, which means the project can include an LMIC-based component as part of a U.S.-led application, consistent with the award's international research and training purpose.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant funding opportunity from the NIH, listed under Funding Opportunity Number PAR 17 002, with activity categories tied to education and health. The CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.398 and 93.989. The original closing date listed for this specific announcement is 2017-12-21, and the posting creation date is 2016-10-04. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so those details are not available in the text you supplied.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-10-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-12-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 17 002

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