Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | PA 24 192

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25)?

The Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25) is an NIH career development grant intended to help experienced quantitative scientists and engineers transition into NIH-relevant biomedical, behavioral, and health-related research. It is designed as a mentored, structured career development period rather than funding an already fully independent research program.

What is the main purpose of this K25 opportunity?

The main purpose is to support researchers whose prior work has been largely outside health and disease and help them pivot their quantitative skills toward research problems that matter for human health. The award supports a guided transition into health-related science, building both domain knowledge and a credible path toward later independent NIH funding.

Who is this award intended for?

This opportunity is aimed at people with strong technical training and a record of productivity in quantitative or engineering fields who want to apply that expertise to health research. Examples of relevant backgrounds include mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, imaging science, informatics, physics, chemistry, and engineering.

What does "mentored" mean in the context of the K25?

The K25 mechanism is built around mentorship and supervised development. It supports a period where the candidate works closely with experienced mentors in NIH-supported areas while they integrate their quantitative background with biomedical or health-focused research questions and gain the training needed to compete for independent funding later.

What does "protected time" mean for K25 recipients?

"Protected time" refers to dedicated effort reserved for career development activities, mentored research, and structured training. The intent is to ensure the candidate is not fully consumed by unrelated teaching, administrative responsibilities, or other competing duties during the award-supported development period.

What is unique about this announcement being labeled "Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required"?

This label signals that the supported research is expected to involve basic experimental work with human participants. In NIH terms, it generally points to mechanistic or foundational studies in humans that are not simply observational and that involve some prospective interaction or experimental approach to answer basic science questions.

Does the supported research need to include human participants?

Yes. Based on the label "Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required," the research is expected to involve basic experimental studies with human participants, with a clear scientific rationale for why human involvement is essential to the aims.

Are purely observational human studies consistent with what is described here?

The description emphasizes studies that are not simply observational and that involve a prospective interaction or an intervention-like experimental approach to address basic science questions. Applicants considering this route should plan accordingly and clearly explain how the work fits these expectations.

What additional expectations come with human studies under this opportunity?

The description highlights expectations such as ethical oversight, human subjects protections, and a plan that clearly explains why human involvement is essential. Applicants should be prepared for requirements typically associated with human participant research.

Is this award meant to fund an already-independent research program?

No. The K25 is described as supporting a guided transition rather than funding an already-independent program. It is intended as a bridge for quantitatively trained professionals to re-tool and re-orient their careers toward health and disease research while working closely with mentors.

What kinds of career outcomes is the K25 designed to support?

The K25 is intended to help candidates build the credentials, domain knowledge, and body of work needed to compete successfully for independent NIH research funding later. It is positioned as a career-shaping mechanism that supports movement into leadership and independence in cross-disciplinary, health-relevant research.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply as the applicant institution?

Eligibility is broad for U.S.-based entities. Eligible applicant organizations include various government entities (state, county, city, township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations that are not federally recognized, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education when applying under the nonprofit category), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other organizations that meet NIH eligibility requirements.

Which types of institutions are explicitly encouraged to participate?

The opportunity explicitly highlights and encourages participation from Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the main applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the main applicant organization for this opportunity.

Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

Are any types of foreign involvement allowed at all?

Yes. While the primary applicant institution must be domestic, "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning certain parts of the project may be conducted outside the U.S. or involve foreign collaborations when justified.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is PA-24-192.

What is the listed closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date shown in the provided information is May 7, 2027.

What type of grant is this listed as?

It is listed as a discretionary grant under the NIH.

Which CFDA program numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA program numbers: 93.113, 93.173, 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.398, 93.865, 93.866, and 93.867.

Does the provided information specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?

No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. This is described as common for NIH parent announcements, since budgets and award volume may vary by institute priorities, application quality, and available appropriations.

Why are multiple CFDA numbers listed for one opportunity?

The multiple CFDA numbers reflect that NIH institutes and centers across a range of mission areas may participate in funding K25 applications, depending on the scientific focus and alignment with institute priorities.

What kinds of research areas does NIH consider relevant for this K25, based on the description?

The description frames NIH-relevant areas broadly as biomedical, behavioral, and health-related research, with an emphasis on applying quantitative innovation (methods, modeling, computation, engineering, measurement) to problems involving health and disease, including basic experimental studies in humans under this particular announcement.

What is the overall "best way" to understand the K25 based on the provided description?

It is best understood as a mentored, career-shaping mechanism for quantitatively oriented researchers who want to translate advanced quantitative or engineering expertise into impactful health research, build a credible pathway into NIH-relevant science, and position themselves for independent funding and cross-disciplinary leadership.