Award amount$249,000 per year maximum for R00 phase
Last checkedJun 24, 2026
PDF guide
Instructions for Activating the Independent Phase (R 00) of the Pathway to Independence Award
Guidance on activating the R00 independent phase of the Pathway to Independence Award, including application submission, requirements, and institutional commitments.
Must have been offered and accepted a tenure-track, full-time assistant professor position (or equivalent).; Must be at an eligible domestic institution with appropriate infrastructure and history of external funding.; Job offer cannot be contingent on the transfer of the R00 award.; Must complete at least 12 months of K99 support before transitioning.; Transition to independence at NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) is not eligible for R00 activation.
Requirements
R00 application submission no later than 2 months prior to proposed activation date.; Minimum of 9 person-months/year (75% full-time professional effort) devoted to research.; Application includes specific forms (PHS 398), biosketches, resources, progress reports, mentor evaluation, and scientific separation plan.; Updated Specific Aims and Research Plan (5 pages).; Letter from R00 institution detailing commitment, protected research time, and support.
Application materials
PHS 398 forms (Face page, Form Pages 2-5); Biographical sketches; New Resources Page(s); Final Progress Report for K99 phase; Final evaluation statement by K99 mentor
How to apply
Submit R00 application (PDF) via authorized organization representative to NCI Office of Grants Administration.; Copy NCI program official on the email.; Application due no later than 2 months prior to proposed activation date.
Important dates
Application submission: no later than 2 months prior to proposed activation date.; Contact NCI program officials: no later than 6 months prior to K99 phase termination.; R00 awards will not be issued in October and November.; Applications received after July 1st typically awarded in the following fiscal year.
Documents
PHS 398 forms; Biosketch Format Pages; DMS Plan template
Contact
NCI Office of Grants Administration: NCIOGAProgressReports@nih.gov
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