Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 - Clinical Trial Required) | PA 18 374

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 374

The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 - Clinical Trial Required) is an NIH career development grant designed to help early-stage clinician-scientists build independent research careers centered on patient-oriented research. It is aimed at individuals who already hold a clinical doctoral degree and who are committing their long-term research effort to studies that directly involve human participants or use human-derived data in ways that are clearly tied to patient care and clinical outcomes. As a mentored award, the K23 is structured around a training and supervision plan where the applicant develops their research skills under the guidance of experienced investigators, typically within an institution that can provide strong clinical research infrastructure, protected time, and a supportive environment for developing as an independent researcher.

This particular K23 parent announcement is labeled “Clinical Trial Required,” which signals that the proposed career development and research plan is expected to include a clinical trial component, consistent with NIH’s definition and requirements. In practice, that means the project is not just observational or secondary-data analysis only; it is expected to involve prospective assignment of human participants to an intervention or condition in order to evaluate effects on biomedical or behavioral outcomes. The emphasis is still on career development, but the research component must align with clinical trial expectations, including appropriate oversight, participant protections, and trial-related planning and reporting.

The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is issued as a discretionary grant program under funding opportunity number PA-18-374. The funding activity category is listed broadly across areas such as education, health, and related social services domains, reflecting the wide range of NIH institutes and centers that may support K23 applications depending on the disease area, population, or scientific focus. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the announcement, which generally indicates participation by multiple NIH components and allows a wide range of health topics to fit under the umbrella of patient-oriented research.

Eligibility is broad at the organizational level, which is typical for NIH opportunities. A wide variety of U.S.-based organizations may apply, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and a range of nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions where applicable). The opportunity also lists eligibility for public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. In addition, certain for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are included among eligible applicant organizations, along with an “Other” category that can capture additional eligible entities consistent with NIH policy.

The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types, including 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), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. This reflects NIH’s intent to ensure that a diverse range of institutions can sponsor and support clinician-investigators, including those serving underrepresented communities or operating in settings where patient-oriented research can directly address local health needs.

Foreign eligibility is limited in a way that is common for NIH career development awards. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply directly, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, the announcement notes that “foreign components,” as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In practical terms, that means a U.S. applicant institution can include certain well-justified international elements of the work (for example, a collaboration site, a specialized laboratory capability, or a unique population resource) as a foreign component, as long as it meets NIH’s policy requirements and is appropriately justified and managed.

The overall aim of the K23 mechanism is to create a structured runway for clinically trained investigators to gain the research skills, mentorship, and publication/track-record development needed to compete successfully for independent NIH research funding later (for example, an R01 or equivalent). The core idea is that the award supports intensive mentored development in patient-oriented research methods, trial conduct and oversight (given the clinical trial requirement here), and the broader professional development activities that help translate clinical insight into rigorous, fundable research programs.

Administrative details included in the source information indicate the original closing date listed as 2019-01-07 and a creation date of 2017-11-21. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided data excerpt, which typically means applicants need to consult NIH institute-specific guidance, the parent announcement details, and standard NIH K award budget policies to understand typical support levels, allowable costs, and duration expectations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (Parent K23 - Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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