Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 22 022
The HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research (K99/R00; independent clinical trial not allowed) is an NIH grant opportunity meant to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move efficiently from mentored training into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty careers while building a long-term research program aligned with the NIH HEAL Initiative. The central goal is workforce development: growing the pipeline of independent investigators who can lead high-impact research in pain and/or substance use disorder (SUD), two areas that are major priorities within HEAL. This award is structured specifically to reduce the common career gap between postdoctoral work and the first independent position by offering a supported transition that starts in a mentored setting and then continues after the awardee secures an independent faculty role.
Functionally, the mechanism is the NIH Pathway to Independence model (K99/R00). The K99 phase supports the applicant while they are still in a mentored postdoctoral position, allowing them to deepen technical and conceptual expertise, publish, generate preliminary data, and sharpen an independence-focused research direction. The R00 phase provides continued NIH support once the investigator successfully transitions into an independent, tenure-track or equivalent position, with the intention that this funding helps them establish a standalone lab or research program and compete successfully for future independent NIH research awards. The opportunity is framed as a cohort-building effort under HEAL, meaning NIH is not only funding individual projects but also intentionally cultivating a community of early-career investigators working in HEAL-relevant pain and SUD research spaces.
A key constraint is embedded directly in the title: "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed." In NIH terms, that generally indicates the award is not intended to support an applicant who will serve as the independent lead for a clinical trial under this grant. Applicants typically need to shape their research plan accordingly, focusing on basic, translational, mechanistic, observational, secondary data analyses, or other human-subjects work that does not meet NIH's definition of an independent clinical trial led by the awardee, depending on the specifics of the project design. In practice, this requirement is important because it influences what kinds of studies are responsive and how the training and independence plan should be written.
The administering agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the funding opportunity is listed as discretionary and uses the grant instrument. The opportunity number is RFA-NS-22-022, and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.121, 93.213, 93.273, 93.398, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866), reflecting NIH programmatic involvement across institutes and centers that participate in HEAL-related research. The original closing date provided is 2025-03-11. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the supplied source data, so applicants would typically rely on the full RFA text and NIH budget guidance for the K99/R00 mechanism to understand allowable costs and duration details.
Eligibility is broad at the organizational level, spanning many common NIH applicant organization types. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The notice also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized; regional organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations/institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means a U.S. applicant organization can include certain project elements conducted outside the U.S. when well-justified and consistent with NIH policy.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a career transition grant designed to identify high-potential postdoctoral researchers in pain and SUD research and give them a structured, NIH-supported bridge to independence. The program is explicitly aligned with HEAL priorities, emphasizes rapid progression into an independent faculty role, and is designed to help recipients launch durable independent research programs rather than remain in extended mentored training.Apply for RFA NS 22 022
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.213, 93.273, 93.398, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-12-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-11. (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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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 025 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA NS 22 024 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 23 335 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 335 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Research Grants for Analyses of Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Data (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 075 Funding Number: PAR 23 075 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Transformative Brain Non-invasive Imaging Technology Development (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 22 003 Funding Number: RFA EB 22 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures to Facilitate Clinical Trials for Pain Therapeutics (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 24 018 Funding Number: RFA NS 24 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Translational Research in Maternal and Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 131 Funding Number: PAR 23 131 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Understanding Chronic Conditions Understudied Among Women (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA OD 23 014 Funding Number: RFA OD 23 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Understanding Chronic Conditions Understudied Among Women (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA OD 23 013 Funding Number: RFA OD 23 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Entry-Level Modules (ELM) for Training the Genomics Research Workforce (R25-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 123 Funding Number: PAR 23 123 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Instrumentation and Device Technologies for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 24 005 Funding Number: RFA NS 24 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 24 004 Funding Number: RFA NS 24 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization Data Coordination and Artificial Intelligence Center (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 23 130 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 130 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Fellows: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) Apply for RFA MH 23 110 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 110 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA DC 24 001 Funding Number: RFA DC 24 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Integration and Analysis of BRAIN Initiative Data (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 23 270 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 270 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 23 331 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 331 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA TR 23 010 Funding Number: RFA TR 23 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA MH 23 330 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 330 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research Resource Grants for Technology Integration and Dissemination (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 026 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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