INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-OD-24-007

Deadline: July 01, 2024

Description

The NIH INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project seeks to improve health and quality-of-life for individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The objective of the INCLUDE Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) is to identify and encourage graduate students with a strong interest in pursuing careers as independent researchers in a Down syndrome (DS)-related field to assist with their successful transition to postdoctoral positions.

The F99/K00 award is intended to support individuals who require 1-2 years to complete their Ph.D. dissertation research training (F99 phase) before transitioning to mentored postdoctoral research training (K00 phase). Consequently, candidates are expected to propose an individualized research training plan for the next 1-2 years of dissertation research training and a plan for 3-4 years of mentored postdoctoral research and career development activities that will prepare them for independent research careers in a DS-related field.

The F99/K00 award is meant to provide up to 6 years of support in two phases. The initial (F99) phase will provide support for 1-2 years of dissertation research (final experiments, dissertation preparation, and selection of a postdoctoral mentor). The second (K00) phase will provide up to 4 years of mentored postdoctoral research and career development support, contingent upon successful completion of the doctoral degree requirements and securing a DS-related postdoctoral position at a new institution. The two award phases are intended to be continuous in time meaning gaps are not permitted between the completion of the PhD requirements and the start of the K00 phase. A K00 award will be made only to support a PD/PI who has successfully completed the F99-supported training, secured a DS-related postdoctoral appointment, and provided INCLUDE with a strong research and career development plan.

A list of Funding Priorities by Institute and Center is available on the INCLUDE website. Applications in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) should be aligned with at least one of the three components of the overall NIH INCLUDE Project Research Plan:

Component 1: Targeted, high risk-high reward, basic science studies in areas highly relevant to Down syndrome

Component 2: Assembly of a large cohort of individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan to perform deep phenotyping and study co-existing conditions

Component 3: Inclusive clinical trials of existing and future treatments and interventions for co-occurring conditions in individuals with Down syndrome

For more information, please see the opportunity webpage.