K99 (& F32) FAQ
Securing funding for your research is a crucial step in advancing your scientific career. One prestigious opportunity for early-career researchers in the United States is the K99/R00 NIH grant, often referred to as the "Pathway to Independence Award." This grant is designed to support promising scientists as they transition from postdoctoral positions to independent research careers. In this blog post, I am sharing frequently asked question that I’ve gotten about the K99/R00, things to think about, and tips.
FAQ
Why the K99 mechanism vs any of the other letter-number combos?? (T32, F32, etc.?)
So I initially applied for an F32 during my last few years of grad school to work with someone I had identified in the last few years of my PhD as someone I wanted to work with. It scored okay and then went in for another round where it wasn't funded in summer 2020 (ha!) which is when I pivoted and interviewed for postdoc positions, including the T32 position at Brown, which I took.
I started on a T32 at Brown and wrote the K99 while there and transitioned directly to that. The K99 is for researchers who are pretty much ready to transition to an independent research career with 1-2 years of training. I applied at the start of my 2nd year of postdoc because I was ready for independence - I already had an independent research agenda and proof with my CV and external collaborations that I was essentially functioning as an independent researcher.
Here's an overview of the differences among some of the NIH postdoctoral fellowships (K99/R00, T32, F32) and NSF grants:
NIH T32 - Institutional Training Grants
Purpose: The T32 program supports institutional training grants designed to prepare individuals for careers in academic, industrial, and other sectors.
Structure: Funding is provided to institutions to support selected postdoctoral fellows. The program emphasizes broad training for researchers.
Eligibility: Eligibility varies by program but generally targets postdoctoral fellows in specific research areas.
T32’s are institution-specific grants that you have to apply for through specific institutions as a trainee, not NIH directly. I started on the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) T32 at Brown before transitioning to my K99
NIH F32 - Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship
Purpose: The F32 provides postdoctoral fellows with individualized, mentored research training and professional development opportunities in preparation for an independent career in research.
Structure: Supports the research training of the fellow under the guidance of a sponsor or mentor in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research fields.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a doctoral degree and be at the early stages of their postdoctoral training.
Money: F32 provides a stipend for the postdoctoral fellow's salary, and the amount is based on the number of years of relevant postdoctoral experience. Additionally, F32 fellowships offer an institutional allowance, which can be used for health insurance, travel to scientific meetings, and other research-related expenses.
Some of the program officers I talked to about my K99 recommended first applying for an F32 and then applying for a K99 - though I didn’t go that route because I was already 2 years out from my PhD and felt that I was ready for independence.
Applying for an NIH F32 Fellowship
Early Postdoctoral Training: The F32 is intended for researchers at the early stages of their postdoctoral training. It's ideal for individuals who have recently completed their doctoral degree and are beginning their postdoctoral research.
Need for Mentored Research Experience: If you're looking to gain more experience in a particular research area or methodology under the guidance of a mentor, the F32 provides the support to deepen your expertise and research capabilities.
Building a Research Foundation: The F32 is well-suited for individuals who are still developing their independent research direction and need time and resources to build a strong foundation before pursuing a career as an independent researcher.
When should one apply for each fellowship? POs at some institutes recommended applying first for an F32 and then applying for a K99 while on the F32 - this may be less necessary if you're on a T32
NIH K99/R00 - Pathway to Independence Award
Purpose: The K99/R00 provides support to postdoctoral researchers for a smooth transition from a mentored position to a secure faculty position with independent research funding.
Structure: It consists of two phases: the K99 phase (1-2 years of mentored support) and the R00 phase (up to 3 years of independent support contingent on obtaining an independent research position).
Eligibility: Candidates must have a doctoral degree and have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the application. Depending on the institution, they may also have specific areas of research they are supporting so it’s good to get to know that from the FOA and from the
Money:
K99 Phase: During the mentored phase, the award typically covers the postdoctoral fellow's salary up to a specified cap (which may change annually based on NIH guidelines) and provides a certain amount for research support, which can include supplies, equipment, and travel. The salary cap is set by the NIH and could be around $60,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on the fellow's experience and the geographical location, with an additional $20,000 to $30,000 per year for research support. This is institution dependent so check!
R00 Phase: When transitioning to the independent phase, the award provides up to $249,000 per year for up to 3 years. This amount is meant to cover both the salary of the investigator and research costs, but exact allocations can vary depending on the institution and the specific research proposal.
Applying for a K99/R00 Award
Transition to Independence: The K99/R00 is specifically designed for postdoctoral researchers who are ready to start transitioning towards an independent research career. It's for those who have already established a solid foundation in their field and can demonstrate the potential to become successful, independent investigators. Note that the training plan is just as important as the research plan
Within 4 Years of Postdoc Experience: Candidates for the K99/R00 should generally have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the application. This time frame is crucial because it targets individuals who are at the right stage to benefit from the mentored to independent transition that the award facilitates.
Clear Vision for Independent Research: Applicants should have a well-defined research plan that they intend to carry out as independent researchers. This includes having preliminary data or evidence to support the feasibility and significance of their proposed research.
Considerations
Mentorship and Environment: For both F32 and K99/R00, the choice of mentor(s) and the research environment are crucial components of the application. Your mentors should have a strong track record of supporting postdoctoral training and transitioning to independence.
Institutional Support: Especially for the K99/R00, demonstrating that you have or are likely to receive institutional support for transitioning to a faculty or equivalent independent research position is essential.
Timing and Eligibility: Carefully consider the eligibility requirements and timing. For the K99/R00, waiting until you're in years 2-3 can be strategic if it allows you to present a stronger application. For the F32, applying early in your postdoctoral training can maximize the benefit you receive from the fellowship.
When should I be thinking/writing all of these fellowships?
If you're thinking of making the most of your grant writing time, here's a suggested timeline, keeping in mind that specific deadlines may vary and should be verified with the NIH:
F32
During Graduate School (PhD)
Early to Mid-PhD: Begin identifying your research interests and potential postdoctoral mentors who are well-aligned with these interests. Networking through your advisors’ network, at conferences, through publications, and via academic connections can be invaluable during this phase.
Mid to Late PhD: Start conversations with potential postdoctoral mentors. It’s essential to choose mentors who have a track record of supporting their postdocs' career development and success in securing funding.
Last Year of PhD: Finalize your postdoctoral position. Begin drafting your F32 application, if the timing aligns and your prospective mentor supports it. Most F32 applications require you to have secured a postdoctoral position or at least have a firm commitment from a mentor. **this will be submitted through your postdoc institution grants office even when you are in grad school!!**
Postdoctoral Phase
Start of Postdoc: If you haven't applied for an F32 during the last year of your PhD, prepare to apply for the F32 fellowship as soon as possible after starting your postdoc. Note that F32 deadlines occur three times a year, so plan accordingly.
First Year of Postdoc: Submit your F32 application if you haven’t done so already. Begin developing your independent research project and gathering preliminary data. This is also the time to immerse yourself in your new research environment and start making significant contributions.
K99/R00
Second to Third Year of Postdoc: This period is critical for K99/R00 preparation. Start drafting your K99/R00 application, focusing on demonstrating the progress you've made during your postdoc, your potential for independent research, and how the K99/R00 will facilitate your transition to independence. K99/R00 applicants typically have 2-4 years of postdoc experience when they apply. I recommend submitting the K99/R00 in your 2nd year to start to give yourself runway for resubmission. Ensure that your application showcases a strong mentorship plan, significant research accomplishments, and a clear path toward independence.
Strategic Considerations
Publications: Aim to publish your research in reputable journals. A strong publication record will significantly bolster both your F32 and K99/R00 applications.
Networking and Professional Development: Engage with the broader research community through conferences, workshops, and collaborations. These activities can enhance your application and prepare you for an independent career.
Mentorship: Throughout your postdoc, maintain a close relationship with your mentor(s). Their guidance is crucial not only for your development as a researcher but also for providing strong letters of support for your applications.
How much did you bring an independent idea to a possible mentor vs. co-create an idea with them?
I knew I wanted to do a research project that looked at how prenatal/early stress influenced HPA axis functioning and nutrient metabolism, specifically iron. No mentors had this expertise (ha!). So this was very much an independent idea, that was co-created with my mentor after looking through the data opportunities and looking into what we could do for assays and stored samples/previously collected data. Co-creation is key to really understanding the dataset and what was available. My mentor and I started noodling on ideas ~8 months before I submitted, I spent the fall/spring poring through data and ideas, and I spent the summer before my October submission writing like a maniac.
Did you go through multiple rounds of your K99 and, if so, were there general themes in the type of changes that eventually made the final proposal so strong? (E.g., more attention to feasibility, more specific training goals, novelty, etc?)
I did not go through multiple rounds - mine was on the border and was funded on the first go (not super common but very appreciated!). I went in assuming I would have to revise and resubmit so my goal was just a scored grant with comments. I did get comments back which were really helpful in case I did need to resubmit and also for general grant writing takeaways in general. A lot of the comments were focused on feasibility - I tend to fall into the trap of "too ambitious" for grant writing and so making sure that your proposal is *actually* feasible and making it clear which aspects of your work can be future directions vs. the K99 is important.
How has the K99 functioned as you transitioned to faculty? Huge relief? Any hiccups?
Having the K99 on the job market is a huge relief! First- it makes the job market so much easier because you have funding AND have already spent quite a few months thinking and writing out your plan for the next 5-10 years of research. Specifically, the K99/R00 application should include what you will be doing in the R00 phase and how that phase will dovetail into preliminary data for the next R01. This should be part of your application in how you're thinking about how the R00 will transition to an R01 (incorporated into future directions and your career plans/goals).
Also, more money is great. The R00 means my startup money is going a lot farther because I'm bringing in money. I was also able to talk through my job offers with my PO during negotiations to make sure that the institutional support was in the contract and in writing.
Hiccups - I am writing my IRB and budget for my R00 while in my second year of my K99 because you need to submit the transition paperwork to NIH by June 1 for the grant money to come through when I start Sept 1. It's a juggle, and you have to submit the transition paperwork with your faculty institution
Any resources you found especially helpful, ranging from people in your life to program officers to templates, etc?
There are so many great resources online and I think the most helpful were people who were willing to share their successful applications. I initially was considering writing a K01 before pivoting to a K99 and I was the first person in my department writing a K99 so seeing other examples was really helpful.
Program officers are also a great resource that I highly recommend. Early on, I was looking between 3-4 different institutes at NIH to fit my research in, so I wrote a specific aims page that I would tailor to each institute based on their funding priorities and sent it around to POs along with my CV and my timeline/plan to submit, asking for their feedback or to set up a meeting to determine fit. I got a lot of great feedback and career advice from the POs - I recommend doing this as early as possible. Therefore, write a draft specifics aim page as early as possible!
Grant writing accountability buddies - these are big grants. I found it to be more complicated to write than an R01 just from how much stuff you have to fit into the page limits. It's helpful to connect with others writing it at the same time for accountability and reading through. Also get to know your grants people at the institution - make friends, be gracious, ask for budget help, and always follow their deadlines (a lot of people don't, but it works best for everyone when you do -- treat your grants people right and they'll treat you right!).
Finding folks who are willing to read and review is super helpful. Don't hesitate to seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and grant-writing experts. Reviewers often provide valuable insights, so consider seeking a mock review from experienced researchers to refine your proposal.
