Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 23 003
Physician Scientist Transition to Independence in Blood Science Research (R00 - Clinical Trial Optional), RFA-HL-23-003, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help physician-scientists in blood science move cleanly from mentored career development into full research independence. It is structured as a limited competition R00 phase that follows the Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science Awards for Physician Scientists (K99/R00) program. In practical terms, this R00 is meant to be the bridge that supports a clinician-investigator as they step into an independent faculty-like role and build the research track record needed to compete for an R01 or an equivalent independent research award.
Eligibility is narrow and tied directly to prior participation in the related blood science K99/R00 pathway. Applicants must have already matriculated through that Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science K99/R00 program and must be within a defined time window: they may have been in the program up to three years, but no more than five years. Because it is a limited competition, it is not open to the general pool of early-stage investigators; it is specifically intended for people already on this defined NIH physician-scientist pathway in blood science.
From a project and scientific-scope standpoint, the proposed independent research must fit within the mission of the NHLBI Division of Blood Diseases and Resources. While the announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning clinical trials are not required, applicants can propose work that includes a clinical trial when appropriate and allowable under NIH policy for this mechanism. Regardless of approach, the emphasis is on presenting an updated and well-justified independent research plan that reflects the applicant's transition away from mentored training and toward leading their own program.
A key review expectation is that strong R00 applications will lay out a well-conceived plan for approximately two to three years of independent research support. The intent is not just to fund a short project, but to support a coherent launch period in which the investigator establishes independence, generates publishable findings, strengthens preliminary data, and builds the platform needed for a competitive R01 (or equivalent) application. In other words, the R00 phase is treated as a focused runway for independence, with clear forward momentum and a realistic strategy for subsequent major NIH funding.
The program also aligns with NIH-wide goals around workforce development and equity. The announcement explicitly highlights NIH encouragement for institutions to recruit and retain individuals from groups that are currently underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and to strengthen diversity within the clinician-investigator workforce, referencing NOT-OD-15-053. While this does not change the scientific requirements, it signals that the NIH expects applicant institutions and environments to support inclusive recruitment, retention, and career advancement.
A broad range of applicant organizations are eligible to apply, reflecting typical NIH institutional eligibility. This includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Federally recognized tribal governments are eligible, and the opportunity also names categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, the opportunity is clear about geographic restrictions: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.
Key administrative details included in the source information are that the funding instrument is a grant and the activity category is health, with CFDA number 93.838. The listed award ceiling is $250,000. The original closing date shown is March 28, 2024, and the opportunity was created January 5, 2022. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted NIH transition mechanism: it supports a defined group of blood-science physician-scientists who have already been on the K99/R00 pathway and now need a structured, time-limited period of independent support to become competitive for long-term R01-level funding.Apply for RFA HL 23 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Physician Scientist Transition to Independence in Blood Science Research (R00 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.838.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-01-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Physician Scientist Transition to Independence in Blood Science Research (R00) opportunity?
This opportunity (RFA-HL-23-003) is an NIH discretionary grant designed to help physician-scientists in blood science transition from mentored career development into independent research. It is intended to function as a bridge period that supports the investigator as they move into an independent, faculty-like role and build a research track record that positions them to compete for an R01 or an equivalent independent research award.
How does this R00 relate to the Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science Awards for Physician Scientists (K99/R00) program?
This is a limited competition R00 phase that follows the related blood science K99/R00 pathway program. It is specifically meant for individuals who have already matriculated through that Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science K99/R00 program and are now seeking support for the independent portion of their transition.
Is this opportunity open to any early-stage investigator?
No. Eligibility is narrow because it is a limited competition. It is not open to the general pool of early-stage investigators. It is intended only for physician-scientists already on the defined NIH physician-scientist pathway in blood science described in the opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply as an applicant (investigator) under this R00?
Applicants must have already matriculated through the Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science K99/R00 program and must be within a defined time window described in the opportunity. The information provided indicates that applicants may have been in the program up to three years, but no more than five years.
What is the eligibility time window mentioned for prior participation in the related K99/R00 pathway?
The opportunity describes a defined time window tied to prior participation in the Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science K99/R00 program. Based on the provided information, applicants may have been in that program up to three years, but no more than five years.
What research area or scientific scope must the project fit?
The proposed independent research must fit within the mission of the NHLBI Division of Blood Diseases and Resources. Applications are expected to present an independent research plan appropriate for a physician-scientist establishing an independent program in blood science.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial is not required.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. Although clinical trials are not required, applicants can propose work that includes a clinical trial when appropriate and allowable under NIH policy for this mechanism.
What does "transition to independence" mean in practical terms for this R00?
In practical terms, the R00 is meant to support a clinician-investigator as they step away from mentored training and into an independent, faculty-like role. The emphasis is on leading an independent research program, producing publishable findings, strengthening preliminary data, and building a platform to pursue R01-level (or equivalent) funding.
How long is the independent research support expected to cover?
Review expectations highlighted in the provided information indicate that strong applications will present a well-conceived plan for approximately two to three years of independent research support.
What are reviewers looking for in a strong R00 application?
Based on the description provided, strong applications are expected to include an updated and well-justified independent research plan that reflects a real transition away from mentored training. Review expectations also emphasize a coherent two- to three-year plan that supports independence, generates publishable findings, strengthens preliminary data, and demonstrates forward momentum toward an R01 or equivalent application.
What is the main purpose of the R00 phase in this program?
The R00 phase is treated as a focused runway for independence. It is not described as funding only a short project; rather, it supports a coherent launch period that helps the investigator establish independence and become competitive for major NIH funding, such as an R01 or an equivalent independent award.
Does the opportunity include any NIH priorities related to workforce development or equity?
Yes. The description notes alignment with NIH-wide goals around workforce development and equity. It highlights NIH encouragement for institutions to recruit and retain individuals from groups currently underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and to strengthen diversity within the clinician-investigator workforce, referencing NOT-OD-15-053.
Does the diversity emphasis change the scientific requirements of the application?
The information provided indicates that it does not change the scientific requirements. It signals that NIH expects applicant institutions and environments to support inclusive recruitment, retention, and career advancement.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
The opportunity lists a broad range of eligible applicant organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments; and additional categories such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, TCCUs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and AANAPISIs. It also includes faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
No. The opportunity is clear that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply or be included?
No. The opportunity states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are foreign components allowed in the proposed work?
No. The opportunity indicates that foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is health.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.838.
What is the award ceiling listed for this grant opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $250,000.
What is the closing date shown for this opportunity?
The original closing date shown is March 28, 2024.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on January 5, 2022.
What does "limited competition" mean here?
Based on the provided information, "limited competition" means the opportunity is restricted to a specific group: physician-scientists who have already matriculated through the related Career Pathway to Independence in Blood Science K99/R00 program and who fall within the defined eligibility window. It is not open to the broader research community.
What institute or NIH area is associated with the scientific mission referenced in the announcement?
The scientific scope is tied to the mission of the NHLBI Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, as described in the provided information.
What is the overall goal for an awardee by the end of the R00 period?
The overall goal described is that the physician-scientist will establish an independent research trajectory during the two- to three-year support period, produce publishable findings and stronger preliminary data, and be positioned to submit a competitive R01 (or equivalent) application.
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