NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), is preparing to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support dual degree dentist scientists through the NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00). This initiative is specifically designed to assist those holding dual degrees such as DMD/DDS and PhD, in their transition from postdoctoral research training to independent, tenure-track, or equivalent academic positions. It is intended for individuals with expertise and insights in dental, oral, and craniofacial health. The grant program will follow the K99/R00 mechanism, providing up to two years of mentored postdoctoral training under the K99 phase, followed by three to five years of independent research support under the R00 phase. An important feature of this program is the flexibility to extend the R00 support phase to five years to accommodate clinical training in a dental specialty program. During the R00 phase, participants can devote no more than 3 person-months of effort annually to clinical training, equating to 25% of full-time professional effort. This opportunity is categorized under discretionary grants and focuses specifically on health, particularly in the field of oral diseases and disorders. While currently in a forecast stage and not open for applications, it is scheduled to be posted on May 12, 2025, with applications due by June 12, 2025. The anticipated start date for funded projects is April 1, 2026, aligning with the fiscal year 2026. Eligible applicants for this opportunity include a broad range of organizations such as state and county governments, federally recognized and other Native American tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, independent school districts, public housing authorities, and small businesses. This forthcoming NOFO provides an opportunity for early planning and collaboration, as NIH encourages potential applicants to begin developing meaningful research proposals in anticipation of the official announcement. It is intended to improve research capacity in dental, oral, and craniofacial health through structured career progression of promising dual-degree professionals. The main contact for this opportunity is Dr. Shoba Thirumangalathu, who can be reached at 301-594-0652 or via email at shoba.thirumangalathu@nih.gov. Additional details and updates are expected upon the official release of the NOFO.