Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA OD 20 008

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 20 008

The Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career development grant designed to help early-career researchers build the skills, track record, and mentorship needed to become independent investigators in tobacco regulatory science. The core aim is to provide substantial protected research time and structured mentorship for an intensive career development period lasting three, four, or five years. The research supported under this award is expected to generate evidence that can inform how tobacco products are regulated, with emphasis on research that helps shape and evaluate regulations affecting tobacco product manufacturing, distribution, and marketing. The opportunity is specifically framed around biomedical, behavioral, and social science research that contributes to tobacco regulation-related decision-making.

A defining feature of this K01 is its mentored structure: applicants are expected to propose a supervised development plan that combines research activities with training and guidance from experienced mentors. The intent is not just to fund a research project, but to fund a pathway toward research independence, typically demonstrated through building expertise in tobacco regulatory science, publishing, developing a coherent research direction, and positioning the awardee to compete successfully for future independent research funding. As indicated in the title, independent clinical trials are not allowed under this funding mechanism, meaning the award is not intended to support an applicant-led clinical trial as the primary activity.

Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organizational types, reflecting NIH's goal of supporting talent in diverse institutional settings. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; 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/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education when relevant to those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible organizational 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. In addition, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not permitted. In practical terms, this means the applicant organization and the supported work must be situated within eligible U.S. organizational structures without foreign components as part of the proposed project.

From the administrative details provided, this opportunity is a discretionary grant under the health funding category, associated with CFDA number 93.077, and is administered by NIH. The funding opportunity title and number are "Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and RFA-OD-20-008, respectively. The record lists an original closing date of 2022-07-10 and a creation date of 2020-02-07. While the excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the central takeaway is that this is a multi-year mentored career development mechanism focused on generating tobacco regulatory science evidence and accelerating investigators toward independence, without supporting independent clinical trial leadership as the main thrust of the award.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.077.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-02-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-10. (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 RFA OD 20 008

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