NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award

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K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed
K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required
K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required

Program Description

NIDCR sponsors a K99/R00 award program limited to dentist-scientists possessing both a D.D.S./D.M.D. clinical degree and a Ph.D. (or equivalent) research degree. This program is similar to the standard NIH-wide K99/R00 program, but has several unique features.

  • For this award mechanism, the mentored K99 phase is required to last two full years.
  • In addition, awardees who are offered independent positions in a U.S. dental school in conjunction with a dental specialty training program will be allowed to request up to 5 years of R00 phase support. In such cases, the specialty training program must be structured so that no more than the equivalent of 3 calendar person months (i.e. 25% effort) in any year is devoted to clinical activities; at least the equivalent of 9 calendar person months (i.e. 75% effort) each year must comprise protected research time.
  • NIDCR will not provide funding for the clinical specialty training; the dental school hiring the R00 awardee will be expected to support such training. Letters specifying this commitment will be required as part of the application to transition to the R00 phase.
  • Dual degree dentist scientists who do not intend to pursue specialty training or those who complete the mentored postdoctoral phase and then elect not to participate in specialty training are still eligible for this award, but are limited to three years of R00 support.

Application Due Date
Standard due dates apply.
See Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Eligibility

Dentists who have used a previous NIDCR-funded K08 or K23 award to earn the Ph.D. degree are also eligible for the dentist-scientist K99/R00 award mechanism. Such applicants must have completed the Ph.D. before applying. All other eligibility requirements and conditions of the K99/R00 mechanism apply.

View all eligibility requirements.

Length
The total project period may not exceed 7 years.

Award Benefits

Mentored Phase (K99)

Intramural

  • Mentored candidates in the NIH intramural program will be supported by intramural funds provided by the NIH Institute/Center intramural laboratory in which they are conducting their research. Budget details for the mentored phase will be negotiated with the sponsoring intramural laboratory. Salary will be consistent with that offered scientists in similar, intramural NIH positions.

Extramural

Independent Phase (R00)

  • The total cost for the independent phase (R00) may not exceed $249,000 per year. This amount includes salary, fringe benefits, research costs, and applicable indirect costs.
  • Indirect costs will be reimbursed at the extramural sponsoring institution’s indirect cost rate.
  • Indirect costs requested by consortium participants are included in the total cost limitation.

How to Apply

Requesting an Application Package

  • Buttons to access the online ASSIST system or to download application forms are available in Part 1 of this FOA. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Instructions for Application Submission

Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, the Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan will be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in FORMS-H and subsequent application forms packages for all K awards.  

View all application submission requirements:
Staff Contact
Last Reviewed on
March 2024