NCI Research Specialist (Laboratory-based Scientist) Award (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Background
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is offering the Research Specialist Award (R50) to encourage the development of stable research career opportunities for exceptional laboratory-based scientists who want to continue to pursue research within the context of an existing NCI-funded basic, translational, clinical, or population science cancer research program, but not serve as independent investigators. The award is designed to provide salary support and sufficient autonomy for individuals who are not solely dependent on NCI-funded grants held by others for cancer research career continuity.

Grant Details
The Research Specialist Award is intended to provide salary support for a sustained period of time and encourage the development of a stable career for exceptional researchers who want to pursue particular research activities within the context of a research program, but not be independent investigators. The award is aimed at laboratory research-oriented investigators with significant, relevant experience, who have shown clear evidence of productivity and research excellence in the field of their training. The Research Specialist must have an advanced degree in an area of biomedical science or biomedical engineering and have demonstrated research accomplishments in their primary discipline. The Unit Director must be an NCI-funded Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) with an established working relationship with the Research Specialist. The Research Specialist must have been contributing to the Unit Director's NCI-funded research for at least the previous 2 years at the time of application submission.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and faith-based or community-based organizations. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. The Research Specialist must not have held or applied for independent investigator grant support within the past 5 years.

Period of Performance
The total award project period may not exceed 5 years. The earliest start date for this grant is November 02, 2023.

Grant Value
Application budgets may request salary support for the Research Specialist commensurate with their level of funded effort on NCI-funded research grants during specific federal fiscal years. Additionally, travel costs to attend research meetings/conferences can be requested but should not exceed $2,500 per year.