Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 336
The NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - Clinical Trials Required), funding opportunity number PAR-18-336, is an NIH/National Cancer Institute career development grant designed to help clinically trained investigators build the skills, track record, and independence needed for a long-term research career in cancer. It is a mentored award, meaning the applicant is expected to carry out an intensive, supervised research and training plan under the guidance of experienced mentor(s). The core aim is to provide sustained support and protected time so that early-career clinical scientists can focus on research and career development rather than being pulled primarily into clinical or other duties.
A defining feature of this NCI-specific K08 is its emphasis on promoting diversity in the cancer research workforce. The program is intended for clinical scientists from backgrounds that have been shown to be nationally underrepresented in health-related science, and for individuals who are committed to advancing basic biomedical, behavioral, or translational cancer research. That includes, explicitly, work addressing cancer health disparities, where research questions are tied to unequal cancer burden, access, outcomes, or other inequities affecting different populations. The overarching expectation is that by the end of the award period, scholars will have substantially strengthened their research capabilities and be positioned to compete successfully for independent NIH research funding such as R03, R21, or R01 grants.
Because this is a K08 with “Clinical Trials Required” in the title, the supported research is expected to include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions and NCI expectations for this particular announcement. In practice, that signals that applicants should be prepared to propose a study that involves prospective assignment of human participants (or groups) to an intervention or similar condition to evaluate effects on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes, or otherwise meet the NIH clinical trial definition as applicable. The mentored structure also implies that the research environment and mentoring team should be appropriate for the complexity and regulatory demands of clinical trials work, including planning for oversight, participant protections, and trial conduct.
The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under the NIH, with the activity area listed under education and health (CFDA 93.398). While the announcement centers on developing individual investigators, the application is typically submitted by an eligible organization on behalf of the candidate, reflecting NIH’s standard approach where the institution serves as the applicant organization and the scholar is the proposed awardee. A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible, including state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also listed as eligible, along with other categories specified by NIH.
The funding notice also highlights additional eligible applicant types that align with the diversity and workforce-development goals of the program. These include 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, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the announcement clearly excludes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities from applying, and it does not allow non-domestic components of U.S. organizations. Foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not permitted, reinforcing that the research and program activities must be domestically based.
In terms of program intent and outcomes, the K08 is best understood as a bridge between clinical training and independent research leadership. It is meant to accelerate a candidate’s development through a focused period of mentored research, skill acquisition, and professional growth, producing tangible research outputs that demonstrate readiness for independent funding. The NCI frames success not only as individual career advancement but also as strengthening the national cancer research enterprise by supporting investigators whose perspectives and lived experiences have historically been underrepresented in health-related science, especially in areas such as cancer biology, behavioral oncology, translational science, and disparities research.
The source information provided lists an original closing date of 2021-05-07 and a creation date of 2017-10-31. No award ceiling or expected number of awards is specified in the excerpt, so those details would normally be confirmed directly in the full funding announcement and associated NIH policy documents.Apply for PAR 18 336
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - Clinical Trials Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (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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FAQs: NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - Clinical Trials Required) (PAR-18-336)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the NIH/National Cancer Institute (NCI) Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - Clinical Trials Required), funding opportunity number PAR-18-336. It is a career development grant designed to help clinically trained investigators build the skills, publication record, and research independence needed for a long-term cancer research career.
What is the main purpose of the NCI diversity-focused K08?
The program is meant to provide sustained support and protected time so early-career clinical scientists can focus on mentored research and career development rather than primarily clinical or other duties. It also specifically aims to promote diversity in the cancer research workforce by supporting investigators from backgrounds nationally underrepresented in health-related science.
Is this a mentored or independent award?
It is a mentored career development award. The candidate is expected to carry out an intensive, supervised research and training plan under the guidance of experienced mentor(s) and within an appropriate research environment.
Who is the intended candidate for this award?
The award is intended for clinically trained investigators who are early in their research careers and need a structured, mentored period to strengthen research skills and establish a trajectory toward research independence in cancer-related fields.
What does "to Promote Diversity" mean in this context?
The announcement emphasizes strengthening the cancer research workforce by supporting clinical scientists from backgrounds shown to be nationally underrepresented in health-related science. It also highlights work that may address cancer health disparities, including research tied to unequal cancer burden, access, outcomes, or other inequities affecting different populations.
Are clinical trials required under this K08?
Yes. Because the title includes "Clinical Trials Required," the supported research is expected to include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions and NCI expectations for this announcement.
What kind of study counts as a clinical trial for this opportunity?
The description signals that applicants should be prepared to propose research involving prospective assignment of human participants (or groups) to an intervention or similar condition to evaluate effects on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes, or otherwise meet the NIH clinical trial definition as applicable.
What are the expectations for the mentoring team and research environment given the clinical trial requirement?
The mentored structure implies the mentoring team and research setting should be appropriate for the complexity and regulatory demands of clinical trials, including planning for oversight, participant protections, and trial conduct.
What research areas does NCI expect to be supported?
The program supports basic biomedical, behavioral, or translational cancer research. The description also explicitly notes cancer health disparities as an example area, where questions relate to inequities in cancer burden, access, or outcomes.
What outcomes does NCI expect by the end of the award?
By the end of the award period, scholars are expected to have substantially strengthened their research capabilities, generated tangible research outputs, and be positioned to compete successfully for independent NIH research funding such as R03, R21, or R01 grants.
Is the applicant the individual candidate or an organization?
Although the award centers on developing an individual investigator, the application is typically submitted by an eligible organization on behalf of the candidate, consistent with NIH practice where the institution is the applicant organization and the scholar is the proposed awardee.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
A wide range of applicant organizations are listed as eligible, including various units of government (state, county, city, township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are listed among the eligible applicant organization categories.
Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The notice highlights additional eligible applicant types aligned with the diversity and workforce-development goals, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are U.S. territories eligible applicants?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the eligible applicant categories.
Can non-U.S. (non-domestic) organizations apply?
No. The announcement excludes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities from applying.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-domestic component or foreign component in the project?
No. The notice does not allow non-domestic components of U.S. organizations, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not permitted. The research and program activities must be domestically based.
How is this opportunity categorized, and what is the activity area?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant under NIH, with the activity area listed under education and health (CFDA 93.398).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-18-336.
What closing date is shown in the provided information?
The provided source information lists an original closing date of 2021-05-07.
What creation date is shown in the provided information?
The provided source information lists a creation date of 2017-10-31.
Is an award ceiling provided in the excerpt?
No. The excerpt does not specify an award ceiling.
Is the expected number of awards provided in the excerpt?
No. The excerpt does not state an expected number of awards.
Where would a potential applicant normally confirm missing details like award ceiling or number of awards?
The excerpt notes that those details would normally be confirmed directly in the full funding announcement and associated NIH policy documents.
How does NCI frame success for this K08 program?
Success is framed as both (1) individual career advancement toward independent research funding and leadership, and (2) strengthening the national cancer research enterprise by supporting investigators whose perspectives and lived experiences have historically been underrepresented in health-related science.
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| Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Persons with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias at the End of Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 18 030 Funding Number: PAS 18 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Potential Effects of Metformin on Aging and Age-Related Conditions: Small-Scale Clinical Studies and Secondary Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 025 Funding Number: PA 18 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 135 Funding Number: PA 18 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Mobile and Connected Health Interventions to Improve Care Continuum and Health Outcomes among Youth with HIV (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 606 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 606 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Mobile and Connected Health Interventions to Improve Care Continuum and Health Outcomes among Youth with HIV (R34) Apply for RFA MH 18 605 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 605 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 055 Funding Number: PA 18 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 073 Funding Number: PA 18 073 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 074 Funding Number: PA 18 074 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Clinical Development of Minimally-Invasive Bioassays to Support Outpatient Clinical Trials of Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 075 Funding Number: PA 18 075 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Examination of Survivorship Care Planning Efficacy and Impact (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 002 Funding Number: PA 18 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 003 Funding Number: PA 18 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 013 Funding Number: PA 18 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Prescription Drug Abuse (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 076 Funding Number: PA 18 076 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Clinical Development of Minimally-Invasive Bioassays to Support Outpatient Clinical Trials of Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 056 Funding Number: PA 18 056 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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