Mapping your career with NIH
Michael Sesma, Ph.D., NIMH
Milton J. Hernández, Ph.D., DLR, OEP
NIH
Basic Advice for Mapping Your Career with NIH
 Understand the NIH application process including
the review process
 Understand the ICs and their goals
 Each IC has a research training and career development program





Identify the grant programs offered by each IC
Make early contact with program officers
Find Mentors and Collaborators
Study successful grant applications
Only propose your best, creative ideas
 Appropriate number of goals
 Impact – now more important than ever
 Include preliminary data if you have it
 You won’t get a grant if you don’t apply
Career Path for a Ph.D.
T32- Institutional training grant (NRSA)-has pre-& postdoc slots
F30 and F31- Individual predoc fellowship (NRSA) (some ICs only support Diversity F30/31s)
F32- Individual postdoc fellowship (NRSA)
F33- Sr. postdoc fellowship (NRSA)
R03- Small Grant
R21- Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant
R01- Research grant
K02- Independent Scientist Award
K22- Research Scholar Development Award
K99/R00- Pathway to Independence Award
R37- Merit award
P01- Program Project Grant
U01- Cooperative Agreement
T32
F31
Graduate
student
F32
K99/
Ps
or K22
R03 R21 R01
K02 F33
R00
Us
T32
Ph.D.
Diversity Supplements
Faculty
Position
Independent
PI
R37
Career Path for an MD
T35- Short-term Training Grant for Health Professional Students
F33- Sr. Postdoctoral Fellowship (NRSA)
K08- Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award
K23- Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
K24- Mid-Career Investigator in Patient-Oriented Research
K07, K12- IC specific
Plus all mechanisms from Ph.D. track
T32
or
F32
T35
Medical
Student
M.D.
K08
K99/ R03
R21 R01 K02 F33 K24 R37
or K22
R00
K23
Clinical
Training
Diversity Supplements
Faculty
Position
Independent
PI
Training Grants (Ts)









NRSA- National Research Service Award
Legislated, program began in 1974 (P.L. 93-348)
Multi-slot awards
Domestic institutions only
Fund training programs for pre- and postdocs in any
scientific area within our scientific mission
Can be basic or clinical
Trainees work in a mentor’s lab
MDs, PhDs, DVMs
Awards go the best training programs in the Nation
Fellowships (Fs):

NRSA- National Research Service Award
Legislated, program began in 1974 (P.L. 93-348)
Individual awards under a mentor
Training can be at domestic or foreign institutions
Fund pre- and postdoc trainees in any scientific area
within our scientific mission
Can be basic or clinical - most are basic
Most awardees are for Ph.D.s

F Kiosk: http://grants.nih.gov/training/F_files_nrsa.htm






Career Development Awards (Ks)






Individual awards
Mechanisms for Basic and Clinical
Investigators
Designed as awards for faculty investigators
Some mentored others not
Newer programs (K22 and K99/R00) are
transition awards- these are for MDs and
PhDs
K Kiosk: http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm
Training Grants





Some all predoc/some all postdoc
Most are a mixture of slots
Funds are mostly for tuition and trainees
Training Related Expenses may be used to defray costs such as staff
salaries, equipment, research supplies, and other expenses directly
related to the training program
Costs:
 Tuition- 60% of requested tuition, capped at $16,000 ($21K for MDPhD programs)
 Stipends- $20,772 pre/ postdoc $36,996 (level 0)-$51,036 (level 7)
 Training Related Expenses- $4,200 pre/$7,850 (post); both include
health insurance
 Travel- $400-$1000
 F&As- 8%
F30s and F31s- Predoc Fellowships








Individual awards
Cannot change the scope, move fellowship, or change
mentor without prior NIH approval! (They do anyway)
Predoctoral NRSA awards limited to 5 years total
Tuition- 60% of requested tuition, capped at $16,000
($21K for MD-PhD programs)
Stipends- $20,772 pre
Training Related Expenses- $4,200 includes health
insurance
Travel- $400-$1000
F&As- 8%
F32s
Postdoc NRSA Fellowships





Postdoc only
Individual award
Cannot change the scope, move fellowship, or
change mentor without prior NIH approval!
(They do anyway)
NRSA Support for up to 3 years total
Stipends- $36,996 (level 0)-$51,036 (level 7)



Training Related Expenses- $7,850; includes health
insurance
Travel- $400-$1000
F&As- 8%
F33s
Senior Postdoc Fellowships







Not for postdocs who have been postdocs a long
time
Used for associate or full professors who want
support for a sabbatical
For MDs or PhDs
Few applicants - too little money
Stipend = $51,036
Training Related Expenses - $7,850; includes health
insurance
Travel- $400-$1,000
Fellowship Review Criteria
In addition to an Overall Impact score there are 5 Core
Review Criteria for Fellowships. These are distinct
from R-type award Core Criteria; criterion scores will
be provided by the reviewers (1-9)





Fellowship Applicant
Sponsors, Collaborators, and Consultants
Research Training Plan
Training Potential
Institutional Environment & Commitment to
Training
K01
Mentored Research Scientist Development Award







Support development experiences leading to
research independence, training in new field or
following hiatus in a research career (varies by IC)
MDs or PhDs
3-5 years
Salary Cap varies by IC + FBs
Research Support: up to $50,000/yr (varies by IC)
F&As= 8%
IC contacts and policies:

http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-056.html
K02
Independent Scientist Award









Often called Mid-career award; Best candidate is a
“senior” assistant professor or “junior” associate
professor
Close to or recently promoted and tenured
Must have independent grant support as PI, e.g., R01
MDs (very few) and PhDs
Salary support only
Salary Cap varies by IC + FBs for up to 5 years
Gives up salary support from all other NIH grants!
Relatively few applicants
F&As= 8%

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K02.html
K08- Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award
K23- Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award







K08 - supports didactic study and mentored research for
individuals with clinical doctoral degrees
K23 - for clinical/patient-oriented project
3-5 yr award, varies by IC
Salary cap varies by IC + FBs
Research Support up to $50,000/yr (varies by IC)
F&As= 8%
For IC Contacts and policies


http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K08.html
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K23.html
K24
Mid-Career Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research

Purpose: to provide support for clinician investigators to
allow them protected time to devote to patient-oriented
research (POR) and to act as research mentors
primarily for junior clinicians
3-5 years
Typically MDs
Salary cap varies by IC + FBs
Research Support $25,000 - $50,000 (varies by IC)
F&As= 8%

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K23.html





K25
Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award

For individuals from a quantitative background (e.g.,
mathematics, statistics, economics, computer
science, imaging science, informatics, physics,
chemistry, and engineering) who want to apply their
expertise to a biomedical problem and are not
already working in a health or disease related topic
3-5 years
Salary cap varies by IC + FBs
Research Support: $20,000 - $50,000 (varies by IC)
F&As= 8%

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K25.html




K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award

Supported by almost all ICs with variations*
Transition award for postdocs moving to assistant
professor positions (tenure track or equivalent)
No Citizenship/Green Card requirement
K99 mentored phase (up to 2 years)
R00 independent phase (up to 3 years; 75% effort)
Requires mentor(s)
*Up to $90,000/yr total cost for K99 phase; 8% F&A
$249,000/yr total cost for R00 phase

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/parent_K99_R00.html







K22 Research Scholar Development Award




Offered by NCI, NHLBI, NIAID, NIAAA, NINR
Transition award for postdocs moving to positions of assistant
professor
Two-phased application
Phase 1




If applicant gets a fundable score, they have a year to find a
position as assistant professor
Phase 2





Scientific merit
No institution yet
Assistant Professor
Own lab
Significant start-up funds
Little teaching/ no administrative responsibilities
F&As= 8%
K22 and the K99/R00 Award
Main features

K22

K99/R00

Transition award (postdocto-asst. professor)
2 yr award
No mentored phase
Awardee gets funds at the
time of becoming asst.
professor
$250K + 8% F&A costs
Total Cost= $270K

Transition award (postdoc - to
asst. professor)
3 year award only
2 yr mentored phase ($90K/yr TC)
Awardee becomes asst. professorR00 not peer reviewed
3 yr independent R phase
($249K/yr TC)
Total Cost= $574K but note TC in
R00 phase










Career Award Review Criteria
In addition to an Overall Impact score there are 5 Core
Review Criteria for K-award applications that are
distinct from R-type award Core Criteria; criterion
scores will be provided by the reviewers (1-9)





Candidate
Career Development Plan/Career Goals &
Objectives/Plan to Provide Mentoring
Research Plan
Mentor(s), Consultants(s), Collaborator(s).
Environment and Institutional Commitment to the
Candidate
New NIH Policy
Encourage New Investigator Applications for the R01
% First-Time
Investigators
In recent years the use of Small Grants (R03) and the NIH Exploratory
/Developmental Research Grant (R21) has increased :
New Investigator policies are limited to applications for Traditional
Research project grant (R01) support. Accordingly, the NIH is strongly
encouraging New Investigators, particularly Early Stage Investigators,
to apply for R01 grants when seeking first-time NIH funding.
22
Why an R01?
It is the Gold Standard Grant!
• The Research Project Grant (R01) is the original and
historically oldest grant mechanism used by NIH. The
R01 provides support for health-related research and
development based on the mission of the NIH.
• R01s can be investigator-initiated or can be in response
to a program announcement or request for application.
• The R01is an award made to support a discrete,
specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the
named investigator(s) in an area representing the
investigator's specific interest and competencies, based
on the mission of the NIH.
23
Are You a “New Investigator”?




Definition: New Investigator (NI) is a PD/PI who has not
yet competed successfully for a substantial NIH research
grant (Except for R03, R15, R21 or mentored K awards)
Definition: Early Stage Investigator (ESI) is a NI who is
within 10 years of completing the terminal research degree
or is within 10 years of completing medical residency (or
equivalent)
NI/ESI receive special considerations during peer review
and IC funding decisions
Resource web site with further information
grants1.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-121.html
24
New/Early Stage Investigators
Identification of NI/ESI Applicants
PURPOSE
Encourage and accelerate earlier transition to
research independence (i.e., first R01)
Counter trend of increasing time spent in
training phase of career
Strongly encourage New Investigators,
particularly ESIs, to apply for R01 grants when
seeking first-time NIH funding
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-121.html
New/Early Stage Investigator
New and Early Stage Investigator Policies
• ESI/NI Applications will be identified to reviewers so that
appropriate consideration of career stage can be applied during
review.
• Apprise NIH staff of ESI/NI status, which will be considered when
applications are selected for award
• Support New Investigators (majority expected to be ESIs) at
success rates equivalent to that of established investigators
submitting new applications
• For multiple PD/PI applications, all PD/PIs must meet requirements
for ESI status to receive consideration during review
• ESIs/NIs are eligible for the Shortened Review Cycle option
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-083.html )
26
New/Early Stage Investigators
Information Sources
• NOT-OD-08-121 (09/26/2008) - Encouraging Early Transition to
Independence: Identifying ESIs
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-08-121.html
• NOT-OD-09-013 (09/31/2008) – Revised New and Early Stage
Investigator Policies
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-013.html
• NOT-OD-09-034 (12/31/2008) – ESI Policies: Requesting an
Extension of the ESI Period
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-034.html
• FAQs:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/investigator_policies_faqs.ht
ml
27
Other NIH Awards for New Investigators
http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/
newinnovator/
• Support exceptionally innovative research with potential for
significant impact
• Launched in 2007
•
•
•
Open to new investigators within ten years of their terminal degree
Appointment at US institutions
Commit at least 25% effort
• Up to $1.5 million over 5 years (direct costs)
• Abbreviated application
•
Preliminary data optional
• Review focus on innovation and creativity, scientific impact
• Number of Applications and awards
•
•
•
28
2007
2008
2009
2150
579
419
30
31
? + ARRA
Loan Repayment Programs
An Overview
Division of Loan Repayment (DLR)
Office of Extramural Research/Office of Extramural Programs
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Milton Hernández, Ph.D.
Director
NIH Division of Loan Repayment, OEP
Program Overview
NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs)
•Vital component of our Nation's efforts to attract and
retain highly qualified health professionals
•Working in priority areas
•To build a research workforce that will meet our future
national needs
30
Loan Repayment Programs
Intramural Programs (1989 to Present)
AIDS Research LRP (1989)
Clinical Research LRP for Individuals from
Disadvantaged Backgrounds (1994)
General Research LRP (1996)
Extramural Programs (2001 to Present)
Contraception & Infertility Research LRP
(1997)
Health Disparities Research LRP (2001)
Clinical Research LRP for Individuals from
Disadvantaged Backgrounds (2001)
Clinical Research LRP (2002)
Pediatric Research LRP (2002)
31
LRPs- How do they work?
•
Up to $35,000 per year in loan repayment
depending on debt level
•
Coverage of Federal, state and local taxes
resulting from the NIH LRP
•
2 year initial contracts with 1 – 2 year competitive
extension contracts
Individual LRP Funding History FY
2002 thru FY 2008
$80,000
Funding Amount
(Thousands)
$70,000
Contraception and
Infertility
$60,000
Clinical DB
$50,000
Health Disparities
$40,000
$30,000
Pediatric
$20,000
Clinical
$10,000
$0
FY 2002
FY 2003
FY 2004
FY 2005
FY 2006
FY 2007
FY 2008
33
Educational Debt, by Degree Type
Trends Analysis, FY03-FY07
Among LRP applicants, academic
Number of New LRP Applicants
doctorates have a higher debt load
1200
than recent PhD graduates, and
1000
physician doctorates have a lower
debt load than recent MD graduates.
800
600
MD
400
LRP
All*
LRP
All†
No Debt
n/a
17%
n/a
50%
<$40K
10%
13%
38%
40%
>$40K
90%
73%
62%
10%
$114K
$97K
$62K
~$20K
Academic Doctorate
200
Physician Doctorate
Physician Doctorate /
Academic Doctorate
0
Professional Clinical
Doctorate
Allied Health
Professional
PhD
Average
Debt
Educational Debt Level
(reported by applicants, in thousands)
*Source: Survey of Graduates, American Association of Medical Colleges (2001).
†Source: Survey of Earned Doctorates, National Science Foundation (2003).
34
LRP Evaluation Conclusions:





LRPs attract young scientists early in their careers- average age
is 35
Applicants have considerable educational debt
Women, MDs, and PhDs are adequately represented in applicant
and awardee pools
LRP awardees receive more RPGs than unsuccessful applicants
But LRP awardees are not quite as successful as K awardees in
receiving RPGs