Career Development Awards

NINDS career development awards provide research training opportunities to scientists and clinician-researchers at the postdoctoral and early career faculty levels.

Postdoctoral Awards

For support of outstanding, mentored postdoctoral researchers to develop a potentially impactful research project with a comprehensive career development plan that will enable them to launch an independent research program.

To provide support to outstanding clinician-scientists to develop their independent research skills through a two phase program; an initial mentored research experience in the NINDS intramural program, followed by a period of independent research.

To support a cohort of new and well-trained, independent investigators from diverse backgrounds conducting Pain and/or SUD research, in order to promote a diverse pool of available independent investigators working in research areas supported by the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative®.
To support a cohort of new and well-trained independent investigators conducting Pain and/or SUD research, in order to increase the independent investigator workforce in research areas supported by the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative®

This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds conducting AD/ADRD research into independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees establish independent research programs in the AD/ADRD field.

To support both an initial mentored research experience (K99) followed by independent research (R00) for highly qualified, postdoctoral researchers, to secure an independent research position. Award recipients are expected to compete successfully for independent R01 support during the R00 phase.

To support diverse postdocs to develop their independent research skills through a two-phase program: an initial mentored research experience followed by a period of independent research.

To enhance biomedical research workforce diversity by supporting a mentored research experience (K99) followed by independent research (R00) for postdoctoral fellows working in research areas supported by the BRAIN Initiative. 

Faculty Awards

For support of diverse faculty scientists committed to research, in need of both advanced research training and additional experience.

Clinician-Scientist Awards

For support of early to mid-career clinician-scientists in need of additional protected time committed to research.

To provide the opportunity for promising clinician scientists with demonstrated aptitude to develop into independent investigators, or for faculty members to pursue research, and aid in filling the academic faculty gap in health profession's institutions.

To provide support for the career development of clinically trained professionals who have made a commitment to patient-oriented research, and who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators.