The overarching goal of this program is to support the transition and retention of investigators from mentored career development to research independence and to minimize departures from biomedical research workforce at this critical juncture. This supplement program is intended to ensure continuity of research among recipients of mentored career development (K) awards by providing supplemental research support to help sustain the investigator’s research during critical life events.
The supplement may be used to support additional personnel, computational services, supplies, and equipment that will promote the continuity of the career development research project during a period in which the PD/PI experiences critical life events which have the potential to impact research progress or potential productivity. Administrative supplements must support work within the scope of the original project.
For the purposes of this program, childbirth, adoption, and primary caregiving responsibilities of an ailing spouse, child, partner, or a member of the immediate family during the project period are critical life events that would qualify for consideration. Evidence that the circumstance may affect advancement of the mentored career development award or productivity must be provided. In circumstances in which the critical life event is pending and is expected to occur during the project period, the supplement request may be submitted in advance of the event.
K awardees who are late stage postdoctoral scientists, instructors, early stage faculty and recipients of the K awards referenced above are encouraged to apply.
For retention supplements to support first-time NIH R01-Equivalent Awards, see companion FOA
Budget
To be eligible, the parent award must be able to receive funds at the time of the award. The administrative supplement budget is limited to 1 year. The application budget cannot exceed a maximum direct cost of $50,000, applicable F & A (indirect) cost can also be requested.
Flexible use of supplemental funds is highly encouraged to support successful research within the scope of the parent project, including supported effort of additional personnel, computational services, supplies and equipment to sustain the research of the PD/PI of the individual K award during a critical life event.
Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
PD/PIs of the following activity codes are eligible for the award: K01, K07, K08, K22, K23, K25, K38, K43, K76, and K99/R00 (on the mentored K99 portion of the K99/R00).
Individual(s) must hold an active grant, and the research proposed in the supplement must be accomplished within the competitive segment of the active award. Individuals are encouraged to work with their organizations to develop applications for support.