NOIs MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE POSTDOC’S MENTOR. We do not accept self-submitted NOIs.
In the NOI, please indicate which Area of Research you are interested in applying under (Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research) AND which NOFO you are applying to (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288).
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to announce this limited submission funding opportunity/award. Limited submission programs allow only a select number of applicants from each institution.
All interested PIs must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) through the UConn Quest Portal by the deadline listed below to be considered.
If the number of NOIs exceeds the sponsor’s limit, an internal competition will be conducted (full process is described at our website). If the number of NOIs does not exceed the limit, eligible PIs who submitted an NOI by the deadline will be reviewed and typically approved to move forward.
Only PIs selected and approved by OVPR are eligible to submit to the sponsor.
Program Information/RFP: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-286.html
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-287.html
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-288.html
Quest Portal Program Link: https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/Pathway_Postdoc_FY27
Keywords: postdoctoral fellows, data science, cancer control science, biomedical research, behavioral research, clinical research, independent research, mentored research
Award Details: Mentored Phase: $130,000/year; Independent Phase: $249,000/year
Number of UConn Applicants: 4 UConn – 4 UCH
Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must have no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience as of the application due date. Individuals must be in mentored, postdoctoral training positions to be eligible for support under the K99/R00 program. If a candidate achieves independence (i.e., any faculty or non-mentored research position) before a K99 award is made, neither the K99 award, nor the R00 award, will be issued. Candidates are required to commit a minimum of 75% of full-time professional effort (i.e., a minimum of 9 person-months) to their program of career development. Candidates may engage in other duties as part of the remaining 25% of their full-time professional effort not covered by this award, as long as such duties do not interfere with or detract from the proposed career development program.
Internal Notification of Intent Deadline: Monday, 6/29/2026 by 12 noon
Internal Pre-proposal (if necessary) Deadline: Monday, 7/13/2026 by 12 noon
Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: 10/14/2026, 5 p.m. ET
Program information: The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical doctoral degrees who do not require an extended period of mentored research training beyond their doctoral degrees. The objective of this award is to facilitate a timely transition of these fellows from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees launch competitive, independent research careers. Researchers in the scientific areas of cancer control, cancer prevention and cancer data sciences are especially encouraged to work with their institutions to apply.
PAR-23-286 is designed specifically for candidates proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Under this NOFO candidates are permitted to propose a research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
PAR-23-287 is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development.
PAR-23-288 is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development. This NOFO in particular is for basic science experimental studies involving humans.
Internal Competition Information: There are 3 companion NOFOs (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288). UConn and UConn Health may each submit up to a total of four applications across the 3 NOFOs. There can only be one application in each of these areas across any of the 3 NOFOs: Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research.
In the NOI, please indicate which Area of Research you are interested in applying under (Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research) AND which NOFO you are applying to (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288).
NOIs MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE POSTDOC’S MENTOR. We do not accept self-submitted NOIs.
If a full internal competition is necessary, pre-proposals should be submitted that include: 1) A two-page project narrative briefly describing the project, its key aims/objectives, the methodologies/approaches that will be used, and how the project goals align with the goals of the program. Please see the sponsor guidelines for details about program goals and application components. 2) 1–2-page budget overview with justifications (mentored phase directs are set at 8% and independent phase are set at UConn’s indirect cost rate). 3) Biosketches/brief CVs for key personnel.
For more information about the limited submission process, please check out our FAQ page.
For additional assistance, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Research at research@uconn.edu.
Follow UConn Research on Instagram & LinkedIn.
Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.
NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers
NOIs MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE POSTDOC’S MENTOR. We do not accept self-submitted NOIs.
In the NOI, please indicate which Area of Research you are interested in applying under (Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research) AND which NOFO you are applying to (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288).
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to announce this limited submission funding opportunity/award. Limited submission programs allow only a select number of applicants from each institution.
All interested PIs must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) through the UConn Quest Portal by the deadline listed below to be considered.
If the number of NOIs exceeds the sponsor’s limit, an internal competition will be conducted (full process is described at our website). If the number of NOIs does not exceed the limit, eligible PIs who submitted an NOI by the deadline will be reviewed and typically approved to move forward.
Only PIs selected and approved by OVPR are eligible to submit to the sponsor.
Program Information/RFP: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-286.html
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-287.html
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-288.html
Quest Portal Program Link: https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/Pathway_Postdoc_FY27
Keywords: postdoctoral fellows, data science, cancer control science, biomedical research, behavioral research, clinical research, independent research, mentored research
Award Details: Mentored Phase: $130,000/year; Independent Phase: $249,000/year
Number of UConn Applicants: 4 UConn – 4 UCH
Eligibility Requirements: Candidates must have no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience as of the application due date. Individuals must be in mentored, postdoctoral training positions to be eligible for support under the K99/R00 program. If a candidate achieves independence (i.e., any faculty or non-mentored research position) before a K99 award is made, neither the K99 award, nor the R00 award, will be issued. Candidates are required to commit a minimum of 75% of full-time professional effort (i.e., a minimum of 9 person-months) to their program of career development. Candidates may engage in other duties as part of the remaining 25% of their full-time professional effort not covered by this award, as long as such duties do not interfere with or detract from the proposed career development program.
Internal Notification of Intent Deadline: Monday, 6/29/2026 by 12 noon
Internal Pre-proposal (if necessary) Deadline: Monday, 7/13/2026 by 12 noon
Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: 10/14/2026, 5 p.m. ET
Program information: The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NCI-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed for postdoctoral fellows with research and/or clinical doctoral degrees who do not require an extended period of mentored research training beyond their doctoral degrees. The objective of this award is to facilitate a timely transition of these fellows from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition to help awardees launch competitive, independent research careers. Researchers in the scientific areas of cancer control, cancer prevention and cancer data sciences are especially encouraged to work with their institutions to apply.
PAR-23-286 is designed specifically for candidates proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial. Under this NOFO candidates are permitted to propose a research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
PAR-23-287 is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development.
PAR-23-288 is designed specifically for candidates proposing to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial, as part of their research and career development. This NOFO in particular is for basic science experimental studies involving humans.
Internal Competition Information: There are 3 companion NOFOs (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288). UConn and UConn Health may each submit up to a total of four applications across the 3 NOFOs. There can only be one application in each of these areas across any of the 3 NOFOs: Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research.
In the NOI, please indicate which Area of Research you are interested in applying under (Cancer Data Science, Cancer Control Science, Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and Other Cancer Research) AND which NOFO you are applying to (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288).
NOIs MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE POSTDOC’S MENTOR. We do not accept self-submitted NOIs.
If a full internal competition is necessary, pre-proposals should be submitted that include: 1) A two-page project narrative briefly describing the project, its key aims/objectives, the methodologies/approaches that will be used, and how the project goals align with the goals of the program. Please see the sponsor guidelines for details about program goals and application components. 2) 1–2-page budget overview with justifications (mentored phase directs are set at 8% and independent phase are set at UConn’s indirect cost rate). 3) Biosketches/brief CVs for key personnel.
For more information about the limited submission process, please check out our FAQ page.
For additional assistance, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Research at research@uconn.edu.
Follow UConn Research on Instagram & LinkedIn.
Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.