Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 � Independent Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial optional) that makes significant changes to the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00), including expanding the K99 eligibility window from 4 to 6 years of postdoctoral research training experience. The primary purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of talented and creative NCI-supported independent investigators. The NOFO is designed to facilitate the transition of talented postdoctoral researchers who have up to 6 years of post-graduation research training experience from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees to launch competitive, independent cancer-research careers in the scientific areas relevant to the mission of NCI. This Notice is being provided to allow sufficient time for applicants to develop strong applications.