NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in the Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Workforce (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | PAR 19 161

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 161

The NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in the Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Workforce (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required), PAR-19-161, is a National Institutes of Health career development grant designed to help build a more diverse pool of independently funded researchers in dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOCR) science. The central aim is to support eligible postdoctoral fellows and early career faculty from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, by giving them a structured, mentored pathway toward research independence. The award is meant to provide a sustained period of protected time so the recipient can focus intensely on research and career development rather than being pulled primarily into other institutional responsibilities.

A key feature of this particular K01 announcement is that it is specifically intended for basic science experimental studies that involve humans and that meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial, while still being considered basic research. In practice, that means the proposed project should prospectively assign human participants to one or more conditions, typically by experimentally manipulating an independent variable, and then measure biomedical or behavioral outcomes in humans. The purpose must be to understand fundamental mechanisms or phenomena rather than to test or refine a product, intervention, or process for a specific practical application. This distinction matters because NIDCR and NIH route different kinds of human-subjects research to different funding announcements: if the work is oriented toward specific applications (for example, developing or optimizing a treatment approach or product), applicants are directed to use the companion Clinical Trial Required FOA (PAR-18-359) instead.

This FOA also draws a line between applicants who will lead an independent clinical trial (even if it is basic experimental work) and those who are not planning to run their own trial. If an applicant is not proposing an independent clinical trial, or if the goal is to gain experience by working on a clinical trial led by another investigator, they are instructed to apply to a companion FOA (listed in the text as PAR-19-NNN). In other words, PAR-19-161 is aimed at candidates who will be responsible for a prospective, basic experimental human study that qualifies as a clinical trial, conducted within a mentored career development framework.

In terms of what the award supports, the announcement emphasizes both salary and research support over a sustained period, with the explicit intent of enabling protected time for career development. The structure is built around close guidance from an experienced mentor, reflecting the K01 mechanism goal of transitioning promising early-stage investigators into independent, externally funded researchers. While the summary does not list detailed budget levels, award ceilings, or the number of expected awards, it clearly frames the program as an investment in the candidate's development through mentored research, training, and progression toward independence in the DOCR research workforce.

Eligibility is broad on the institutional side, spanning many common NIH applicant categories such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city or township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types that align with the diversity mission, including 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), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain tribal governments and tribal organizations (including some that are not federally recognized, as specified).

At the same time, the announcement is explicit about restrictions related to non-U.S. applicants and components. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations/institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization may, under NIH rules, include certain justified foreign elements within an otherwise eligible application.

Administratively, this is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity within the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.121, and it was created on 2019-01-08. The original closing date listed in the provided data is 2022-01-07. Overall, the program is best understood as a mentored, early-career research award from NIDCR that combines career development structure with funding support, targeted specifically to diversify the DOCR research pipeline and to support basic experimental studies in humans that qualify as clinical trials but are driven by fundamental scientific questions rather than immediate clinical or product-focused applications.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in the Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Workforce (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with 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 2019-01-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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.

Apply for PAR 19 161

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