Grant Details

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This program seeks to assist investigators in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Division of Intramural Research Programs (DIRP) in achieving their research career goals. The specific goals of this program are to:

• support tenure-track and tenured scientists conducting research in the NIMH DIRP who aim to transition to independent research positions in the extramural community where they intend to continue already successful biomedical research careers as independent scientists; and
• foster the further career advancement of these independent scientists and enable them to expand their potential to contribute significantly to mental health-related research.

Each application to the NIMH Career Transition (K22) Program must reflect the individual needs of the Candidate (PD/PI). The K22 award is conducted in two phases: Phase 1 takes place at the NIMH DIRP while Phase 2 takes place at the domestic, extramural institution to which the Candidate will transition. The application will be submitted for peer review of scientific and technical merit while the Candidate is a tenured or tenure-track investigator in the NIMH DIRP. The outcome of this review will be a key determinant of whether the application will be supported. However, it is the Phase 2 application that will be awarded. If the Candidate receives a fundable score after peer review of the initial application, she/he will be notified in writing of NIMH's commitment to make an award. The Candidate will then have a period of no more than 18 months (Phase 1) to identify a suitable, independent research position at a domestic research institution/organization and negotiate a start-up package. As soon as negotiations between the Candidate and the institution are complete, the Phase 2 application must be submitted by the extramural institution for administrative review and award (see below).

Phase 2 of the NIMH Career Transition (K22) award will provide up to three years of support to conduct research as an independent scientist at a domestic, extramural institution/organization to which the Candidate has been recruited, been offered and has accepted an independent research position. The institution sponsoring the Phase 2 award must demonstrate a commitment to provide the environment, resources, and at least 6 person-months (equivalent to 50% full-time professional effort) of protected time during the Phase 2 award period for the Candidate to conduct the proposed research. This commitment will enable the Candidate to maintain and develop further an independent research program and to prepare a competitive application for research grant support (R01) during the K22 award period. NIMH K22 award recipients are expected to apply for NIH or other independent research grant support during the second year of the extramural phase (Phase 2) of the K22 award.