Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Required)

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes May 7, 2027, 199 days left.

Opportunity number	PA-24-178
Agency	National Institutes of Health
Funding type	Grant
Field	Education, Health
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.853, 93.866
Posted	Apr 24, 2024
Closes	May 7, 2027 (199 days left)
Add the deadline to	Google Calendar

Who can apply

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 and Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses
Others (see the eligibility notes)

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Description

The purpose of the NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) is to foster the development of outstanding scientists and enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research. The K02 award provides three to five years of salary support and "protected time" for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers.

Each independent scientist career award program must be tailored to meet the individual needs of the candidate.This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development.

Applicants not planning an independent clinical trial, or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, must apply to companion FOA

Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov

Education grants right now

There are 109 open federal grants in education that small businesses may apply for; 7 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $424,500. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health and DOC NOAA - ERA Production. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1064 days; this one is open for 1108 days.

Who has won this program before

The Research Foundation For The State University Of NEW York $131.6 million · from Sep 29, 1989
The Johns Hopkins University $62.1 million · from Jul 1, 2006
Trustees Of Indiana University $55.5 million · from Aug 5, 2006
University Of California, SAN Diego $54.3 million · from Sep 30, 2015
Universitat Bern $53.4 million · from Jul 1, 2006

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.273, 93.279, 93.310, 93.313, 93.853, 93.866 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.