NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required) | PAR 22 043

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 043

The NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career development grant aimed at building and sustaining a strong pipeline of independent dentist-scientists who hold dual degrees. The program is specifically structured to help outstanding early-career clinician-researchers move efficiently from a mentored postdoctoral research stage into an independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty role. In practical terms, it supports both the final stretch of mentored training and the critical early years of running an independent research program, with the expectation that awardees will emerge as competitive, externally funded investigators in oral and craniofacial research areas aligned with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

The award uses the K99/R00 "Pathway to Independence" model and is split into two phases. The first phase (K99) provides up to two years of mentored support while the candidate completes advanced research training, publishes, strengthens methodological expertise, and prepares for an independent position. The second phase (R00) provides three to five years of independent research support once the awardee secures an eligible independent faculty appointment. A notable feature of this particular opportunity is the flexibility to extend the independent (R00) phase to five years when needed to accommodate clinical training in a dental specialty program. That clinical component is capped at no more than 3 person-months of effort (25% effort) in any year of the R00 phase, which is meant to preserve sufficient protected time to build a research program while recognizing the realities of clinical specialty training for dentist-scientists.

This funding opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant within the health funding activity area and is listed under CFDA number 93.121. The opportunity number is PAR-22-043, and it is titled "NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required)." The parenthetical note signals that the scientific scope can include basic experimental studies involving humans, and applicants proposing that type of work should be prepared to meet NIH expectations for human subjects protections and related compliance requirements.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible to apply, reflecting NIH's broad institutional eligibility framework. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including county and city/township governments), independent school districts, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other eligible entities. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible categories 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), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clarifies key restrictions related to foreign participation: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations or foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" may be allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning certain well-justified elements of the research can occur outside the U.S. under NIH rules even though the applicant institution itself must be domestic.

The original closing date listed for this opportunity was 2024-06-18. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should consult the full NIH funding announcement and institute guidance for budget parameters, allowable costs, and any institute-specific funding considerations. Overall, the central purpose is workforce development: creating a durable cohort of dual degree dentist-scientists who can successfully transition into independent academic research careers, maintain protected research time, and contribute long-term to the biomedical and behavioral research mission in dental, oral, and craniofacial health.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-01-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-18. (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.

Apply for PAR 22 043

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: