International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 24 114

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 114

The International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Required), NIH opportunity PAR-24-114, is a career development grant designed to help advanced postdoctoral U.S. research scientists and recently appointed U.S. junior faculty build an independent global health research career. The program provides substantial protected time and support for a sustained period of mentored training and research lasting three to five years. A central requirement is that the awardee completes an intensive, structured research career development experience based in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) as defined by the World Bank (including low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries). The overall goal is to position participants to compete successfully for independent research funding and to establish a long-term research trajectory focused on global health.

This FOA is open to applicants from any health-related discipline, reflecting NIH's interest in drawing talent from across biomedical, clinical, behavioral, public health, and related fields, as long as the proposed work aligns with the health priorities of the LMIC where the research and training will occur. Applicants must be at least two years beyond the conferral of their doctoral degree, which places the program squarely in the advanced postdoctoral to early faculty window. The award is explicitly mentored: applicants are expected to have both LMIC and U.S.-based mentors who will guide the candidate's research and professional development. The research project is expected to be relevant and responsive to local needs, not simply portable from a U.S. setting, and the career development plan should be designed to build the skills, publications, collaborations, and preliminary data needed for future independent funding.

The title indicates that an independent clinical trial is required, meaning the proposed research is expected to include a clinical trial component that the candidate will lead, consistent with NIH definitions and policies around clinical trials. In practice, this typically implies careful attention to trial design, ethical and regulatory oversight, participant protections, data and safety monitoring, and feasibility in the LMIC context. Applicants should anticipate that review will pay close attention to the candidate's readiness to conduct the trial, the strength and complementarity of the mentoring team (including in-country expertise), and the adequacy of the research environment and infrastructure to implement the trial successfully.

Eligible applicant organizations span a wide range of U.S.-based institutions and entities, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The announcement also highlights eligibility considerations for institutions serving specific populations and missions, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

While the research experience is intended to occur in an LMIC, non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant institution, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. This structure supports the program's core model: a U.S.-based applicant organization sponsors and administers the award, while the candidate conducts significant mentored training and research activities in an LMIC setting through approved foreign components and collaborations.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant under NIH, with activity in the education and health categories, and is listed under CFDA numbers 93.173, 93.398, and 93.989. The original closing date provided is March 9, 2026. The funding ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH institute or center guidance to understand budget structure, salary support levels, allowable costs, and any institute-specific priorities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.398, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-09. (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.

Apply for PAR 24 114

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