NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01) | PAR 16 401

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 16 401

The NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01), listed as PAR-16-401, is a National Institutes of Health grant opportunity run through the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Its central goal is to strengthen and broaden the NCI-funded cancer research workforce by supporting researchers from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical sciences. In practical terms, the award is meant to help promising investigators build the skills, publication record, and research independence needed to become successful, competitive cancer researchers while also advancing a more diverse research community.

This K01 is a mentored career development award, meaning it is designed for individuals who still benefit from structured guidance and training rather than those already fully independent. The program provides two main forms of support: salary support and research support. A defining feature is the expectation of a sustained period of "protected time," which means the recipient is given dedicated time away from other job demands so they can focus heavily on research and career development activities. That protected time is paired with close mentorship from an experienced mentor or sponsor who helps shape the recipient's training plan, research direction, and progression toward independence. The overall emphasis is not just on completing a research project, but on intensive research career development that positions the awardee to compete for future independent funding.

The opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category, with a funding instrument type of "Grant," and it is categorized under the broad activity area of Education and Health. The CFDA number associated with it is 93.398. While the summary provided does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the intent is clearly oriented toward supporting individual career development awards that combine mentored training with a focused cancer-related research plan.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply on behalf of candidates. Eligible applicant organizations include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The eligibility list also includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those specific nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and certain other entities. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types that commonly align with the diversity-focused mission, 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). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal government agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions are also listed among eligible applicants.

At the same time, the opportunity includes clear restrictions related to non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. The notice further states that foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. These limitations mean the award is intended to be administered through eligible U.S.-based applicant organizations without foreign institutional involvement as part of the grant’s execution.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on 2016-08-11 and lists an original closing date of 2017-11-17. Overall, the K01 described here is best understood as a structured, mentored pathway for researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to gain sustained, protected research time, build a strong career development trajectory in cancer research, and ultimately contribute to a more diverse and inclusive NCI-funded scientific workforce.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01)" 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 2016-08-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-11-17. (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 16 401

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