1. Do postgraduate clinical training experiences count toward the 5-year research training eligibility limit?
   No. Time spent conducting postgraduate clinical training that does not involve research is not considered as part of the 5-year research training eligibility limit. Only time dedicated to research activities would count toward the 5-year limit. Therefore, applicants with postgraduate clinical training experience remain eligible and are encouraged to apply for the Pathway to Independence award.

2. Will Pathway to Independence (PI) Award recipients be considered "new investigators" when applying for NIH R01 support?
   Yes. New investigators can check "Yes" in the "New Investigator" box when applying for NIH R01 support if the principal investigator has not previously served as such on any Public Health Service (PHS)-supported research project other than a Pathways to Independence Award (K99/R00), a small grant (R03), an Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15), an exploratory/developmental grant (R21), or mentored career development awards for persons at the beginning of their research career (K01, K08, K22, K23, and K25). Current or past recipients of Independent Scientist and other non-mentored career awards (K02, K05, K24, and K26) are not considered new investigators.

3. Does postgraduate research work conducted outside of the United States count toward the 5-year research training eligibility limit?
   Yes. Time spent conducting postgraduate research, whether inside or outside of the United States, is considered as part of the 5-year research training eligibility limit.

4. What is meant by "at the time of initial application or resubmission?"
   Applicants must have fewer than 5 years of postgraduate research experience at the time the initial application or resubmission application is postmarked for delivery to the NIH.

5. How should potential reviewer concerns regarding overlap with the mentor's line of research during the K99 phase of the award be addressed?
   Candidates are strongly encouraged to include in their research plan: 1) a description of the mentor's research describing how it relates to his or her proposed research plan, and 2) details of potential overlap and synergism.

6. Are applicants with greater than 5 years of research training experience who have changed research directions or disciplines eligible to apply?
   In unusual circumstances, exceptions to the 5-year limit may be approved, e.g., where significant changes in fields of study have occurred, such as moving from physical science to life science research, or from engineering to behavioral research, exceptions to the five year limit can be made. Such unique exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis and will require concurrence of NIH program staff of the Institute or Center (IC) most likely to be assigned the application for potential funding. IC concurrence must be obtained prior to submission and a statement describing the circumstances must be included in the application.

For a more complete and up to date listing of Questions and Answers, please see the NIH's K99/R00 Questions and Answers Resources page.

< Previous Section  |  Next Section >