NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 22 042

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 042

The NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required) is an NIH grant program from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) intended to strengthen the pipeline of independent dentist-scientists with dual doctoral training. Its central goal is to help outstanding dual degree dental researchers move efficiently from mentored postdoctoral research into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty roles, building a stable cohort of investigators who can lead sustained research programs in dental, oral, and craniofacial health.

This opportunity uses the NIH K99/R00 "Pathway to Independence" structure. It provides up to two years of mentored career development support (the K99 phase), followed by three to five years of independent research support (the R00 phase) once the awardee secures an independent faculty position. The additional flexibility of a five-year R00 phase is specifically included to accommodate clinical training in a dental specialty program, as long as the clinical training commitment does not exceed 3 person-months (25% effort) in any year of the R00 phase. In practical terms, the program is set up to recognize that dentist-scientists may need to integrate specialty clinical training while still protecting time for research progress and the transition to independence.

As indicated by the title, this particular announcement is "Clinical Trial Required," meaning the supported research is expected to include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions and requirements. Applicants should be prepared for the additional planning, oversight, and reporting elements that come with clinical trial awards (for example, protocol development, regulatory compliance, and trial-related data and safety expectations), as well as the need to align their proposal with NIH clinical trial policies.

Eligibility to apply is broad on the institutional side and spans many types of U.S.-based organizations that commonly serve as NIH applicant institutions. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, special district governments, independent school districts, tribal governments (federally recognized), tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized governments), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other eligible entities listed in the notice. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the program draws clear boundaries around foreign eligibility. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning parts of the work may be conducted outside the U.S. under NIH rules when appropriately justified and structured, even though the primary applicant organization must be domestic.

Key administrative details from the notice include the funding opportunity number PAR-22-042, the activity mechanism K99/R00 (grant), the activity area categorized under health, and the associated CFDA number 93.121. The original closing date listed for this opportunity is 2024-06-18, and the posting record indicates a creation date of 2022-01-10. The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding. No award ceiling or expected number of awards is specified in the provided source data.

Overall, this program is best understood as a targeted career transition award for dual degree dentist-scientists who are ready to complete mentored postdoctoral training and then quickly launch an independent research career, with enough built-in flexibility to accommodate limited, structured clinical specialty training while maintaining protected research effort and momentum toward independence.

• 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 Clinical Trial 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.

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