Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 048
The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity designed to keep highly promising graduate students on a path toward becoming independent cancer researchers. Its central goal is to identify outstanding doctoral students who have already been recognized by their institutions as having strong potential, and then help them move efficiently from the late stages of graduate training into a productive cancer-focused postdoctoral position. In practice, this award is meant to smooth out a career transition point where many young scientists can lose momentum, by pairing structured research support with intentional career development so recipients are better prepared to compete for independent research roles later on.
The award focuses on two connected phases that reflect its “transition” structure. The F99 phase supports the individual while they finish their doctoral training, and the K00 phase supports the move into a postdoctoral appointment where the fellow continues building cancer research expertise and strengthens their trajectory toward independence. Across both phases, the FOA emphasizes not just conducting research, but also engaging in career development activities that fit the recipient’s longer-term goals as an independent investigator in cancer research. That can include training experiences, mentorship planning, and professional development intended to sharpen the fellow’s ability to launch and sustain an independent research program.
A key restriction in this FOA is related to clinical trials. Applicants are not permitted to propose that they will lead an independent clinical trial as part of the award. However, the FOA does allow applicants to propose gaining research experience within a clinical trial environment, as long as the clinical trial itself is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor (in other words, the applicant can participate and learn within a trial, but cannot be the person responsible for directing it as the independent trial lead). This detail matters for trainees whose cancer research interests touch human subjects research, translational work, or clinical trial infrastructure, because it clarifies what kinds of trial-related activities are allowable under this mechanism.
Eligibility is broad on the organizational side, reflecting standard NIH participation as well as an explicit interest in inclusivity across institution types. Eligible applicants listed include many categories of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including county and city/township governments), special district governments, independent school districts, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The announcement also includes a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), and it allows for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly calls out other eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.
At the same time, the FOA draws clear boundaries around non-U.S. applicants. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization may include certain international elements in the project when permitted under NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the applicant itself.
Administratively, this is an NIH discretionary grant program under the activity areas of education and health, with CFDA number 93.398. The funding opportunity title is “The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00),” and the opportunity number is RFA-CA-20-048. The agency is the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity record provided lists an original closing date of 2020-11-18 and a creation date of 2020-08-24. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which typically means those details would need to be confirmed in the full FOA text or related NIH budget guidance.
Overall, the F99/K00 is best understood as a targeted pipeline award: it identifies high-potential cancer research doctoral students, funds their completion of the PhD phase, and then supports a structured jump into a cancer-relevant postdoc with added career development, all with the explicit intent of increasing the likelihood that these trainees ultimately become independent cancer researchers.Apply for RFA CA 20 048
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-08-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-18. (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.
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FAQs: NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)
What is the NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)?
The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity designed to keep highly promising graduate students on track to become independent cancer researchers. It supports a structured transition from late-stage doctoral training into a cancer-focused postdoctoral position.
What is the main purpose of the F99/K00 award?
The central goal is to identify outstanding doctoral students already recognized by their institutions as having strong potential, then help them move efficiently from the later stages of graduate training into a productive postdoctoral position in cancer research. The award is meant to prevent loss of momentum at a common transition point by pairing research support with intentional career development.
How is the award structured?
The award includes two connected phases: the F99 phase and the K00 phase. The F99 phase supports the individual while they complete their doctoral training, and the K00 phase supports the transition into a postdoctoral appointment to continue building cancer research expertise and move toward research independence.
What does the F99 phase support?
The F99 phase supports the trainee during the completion of their doctoral training, with the broader intent of preparing them for a successful transition into a cancer-relevant postdoctoral position.
What does the K00 phase support?
The K00 phase supports the move into a postdoctoral position where the fellow continues developing cancer research expertise and strengthens their path toward becoming an independent investigator.
Is career development required or emphasized in this opportunity?
Yes. Across both phases, the opportunity emphasizes not only conducting research but also engaging in career development activities aligned with the recipient's long-term goals as an independent cancer researcher. The description highlights training experiences, mentorship planning, and professional development intended to help recipients compete for independent research roles later.
Can an applicant propose to lead an independent clinical trial under this award?
No. A key restriction is that applicants are not permitted to propose that they will lead an independent clinical trial as part of the award.
Can the project include clinical trial-related experience at all?
Yes. The opportunity allows applicants to propose gaining research experience within a clinical trial environment as long as the clinical trial is led by a sponsor or co-sponsor. In other words, the fellow can participate and learn within a trial setting but cannot be the independent trial lead.
Why does the clinical trial restriction matter for some applicants?
It clarifies what is allowable for trainees whose cancer research interests involve human subjects research, translational work, or clinical trial infrastructure: participation for experience can be acceptable, but directing an independent clinical trial is not.
Who is this award intended to support (in terms of career stage)?
It is intended for highly promising doctoral students in the late stages of graduate training who are aiming to transition into a cancer-focused postdoctoral position and ultimately pursue independence as cancer researchers.
Which federal agency sponsors this funding opportunity?
The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the opportunity is specifically associated with the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The official title is "The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00)."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number listed is RFA-CA-20-048.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number provided is 93.398.
What activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is described as an NIH discretionary grant program under the activity areas of education and health.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.
Are any international elements allowed in the project if a U.S. organization applies?
Yes. The opportunity notes that "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement. That means a U.S.-based applicant organization may include certain international elements when permitted under NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the applicant.
What types of U.S.-based organizations are listed as eligible applicants?
The eligible applicant types listed include a broad set of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and various government entities such as state governments, county governments, and city/township governments.
Are special district governments and independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Special district governments and independent school districts are explicitly included among eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible. The opportunity also includes Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized as eligible applicant types.
Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement includes nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Does the opportunity explicitly encourage or include minority-serving institutions?
It explicitly lists multiple institution types including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly included as eligible applicant types.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among eligible applicant types.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity record provided lists an original closing date of 2020-11-18.
What is the creation date listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity record provided lists a creation date of 2020-08-24.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. The description indicates these details would typically need to be confirmed in the full FOA text or related NIH budget guidance.
How should this award be understood in plain terms?
It is described as a targeted pipeline award that identifies high-potential doctoral students in cancer research, funds their PhD completion phase, and then supports a structured transition into a cancer-relevant postdoc with added career development, with the intent of increasing the likelihood they become independent cancer researchers.
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