Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 272
The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity is an NIH K99/R00 career development grant (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-21-272) that is built to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move from mentored training into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions. Its central aim is workforce-focused: NIH is using this mechanism to grow and sustain a more diverse pool of independent investigators in the basic biomedical sciences and other NIH mission areas. In practical terms, the program is meant to reduce the career bottleneck that often happens between the postdoc stage and landing a stable independent position, especially for scientists from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical research enterprise as reflected in NIH guidance on diversity.
The award is structured as a two-phase transition. The K99 phase supports a mentored postdoctoral period where the applicant completes key training, publishes, builds independence, and prepares for the faculty job market while pursuing a defined research plan. Once the scholar secures an eligible independent position, the award transitions to the R00 phase, which provides independent NIH support to help launch the new lab and build early momentum as a faculty member at a research-intensive institution. This design is intentional: it pairs career development and mentored growth with a concrete, funded runway into independence, which can make a major difference in competitiveness for long-term research funding and faculty retention.
A distinctive feature of MOSAIC is that it is not only an individual award but also a cohort-based model. Awardees become MOSAIC scholars who are expected to participate in structured mentoring, networking, and professional development activities. These cohort activities are coordinated by organizations funded through the MOSAIC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5). The cohort element is meant to provide community, broaden professional networks, and deliver coordinated career development support beyond what a single home lab or department typically offers. In effect, MOSAIC ties the individual K99/R00 trajectory to a larger, organized support system aimed at improving persistence and success into independent careers.
This particular opportunity is labeled "Independent Clinical Trial Required," which signals that the supported project is expected to include a clinical trial component as defined under NIH policy. Applicants need to pay close attention to NIH clinical trial definitions and requirements, because choosing the wrong FOA type can create compliance problems later. The NIH framing here indicates that the research plan should include an independent clinical trial rather than only observational human subjects work or a trial led by someone else.
On eligibility, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health under the federal assistance listing numbers (CFDA/Assistance Listings) associated with multiple NIH Institutes and Centers (for example, 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, and others listed in the source data). The eligible applicant organizations are broad and include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various units of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), along with tribal governments and tribal organizations. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible categories that align with diversity and capacity-building priorities, 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), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies.
The foreign eligibility rules are specific. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant can, in some circumstances, include certain foreign elements within the project if they meet NIH policy requirements and are appropriately justified and approved.
From the administrative details provided, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Instrument: Grant). The record lists an original closing date of 2024-07-24, and the opportunity was created on 2021-08-17. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, which is common for NIH announcements where budgets depend on institute participation, applicant needs, and NIH policy caps for the activity code.
Overall, MOSAIC K99/R00 is best understood as a transition-and-launch mechanism with an explicit diversity mission. It funds the final stretch of mentored postdoctoral development and then provides early independent support once a faculty position is secured, while also placing scholars into a structured national cohort experience coordinated through UE5 grantees. The combined goal is to help talented scientists from diverse backgrounds not only reach independence faster, but also to thrive once they get there, strengthening the long-term diversity and excellence of the NIH-funded biomedical research workforce.Apply for PAR 21 272
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 - 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): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.313, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.853, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-24. (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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FAQs: MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (NIH K99/R00, PAR-21-272)
What is the MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity?
The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity is an NIH K99/R00 career development grant (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-21-272). It is designed to help outstanding postdoctoral researchers move from mentored postdoctoral training into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions while advancing NIH goals to strengthen diversity in the biomedical research workforce.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is workforce-focused: to reduce the bottleneck between postdoctoral training and obtaining a stable independent faculty position, and to grow and sustain a more diverse pool of independent investigators across the basic biomedical sciences and other NIH mission areas, consistent with NIH guidance on diversity.
What type of award mechanism is MOSAIC using?
This opportunity uses the NIH K99/R00 mechanism, which is a two-phase career transition structure that begins with a mentored postdoctoral phase (K99) and then transitions to an independent phase (R00) after the awardee secures an eligible independent position.
How does the two-phase K99/R00 structure work?
The K99 phase supports a mentored postdoctoral period focused on training, publishing, building scientific independence, and preparing for the faculty job market while pursuing a defined research plan. Once the scholar obtains an eligible independent faculty position, the award transitions to the R00 phase, which provides independent NIH support intended to help launch the new lab and build early momentum as a faculty member at a research-intensive institution.
What is the K99 phase intended to support?
The K99 phase supports mentored postdoctoral development, including completing key training, advancing the research plan, publishing, demonstrating increasing independence, and preparing to compete for and secure an eligible independent position.
What is the R00 phase intended to support?
The R00 phase provides independent NIH support after a scholar transitions into an eligible independent position. It is intended to help launch the scholar's independent research program and support early progress and momentum as a new faculty member.
What makes MOSAIC different from a standard individual career transition award?
A distinctive feature is the cohort-based model. In addition to the individual K99/R00 award, MOSAIC scholars are expected to participate in structured mentoring, networking, and professional development activities that are coordinated through organizations funded under the MOSAIC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5).
What does it mean to be a "MOSAIC scholar"?
Awardees become MOSAIC scholars and are expected to engage in cohort activities such as structured mentoring, networking, and professional development. The cohort experience is designed to provide community, broaden professional networks, and add coordinated career development support beyond what a single lab or department typically provides.
Who coordinates the cohort-based mentoring and professional development activities?
The cohort activities are coordinated by organizations funded through the MOSAIC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5).
Why does the program emphasize a cohort model?
The cohort model is intended to strengthen persistence and success into independent careers by providing community, expanding professional networks, and delivering organized career development support that complements local mentoring at the applicant's institution.
What does "Independent Clinical Trial Required" mean for this opportunity?
This label signals that the supported project is expected to include a clinical trial component as defined under NIH policy. The NIH framing indicates the research plan should include an independent clinical trial rather than only observational human subjects work or a trial led by someone else.
Why is the clinical trial designation important?
NIH notes that applicants must pay close attention to NIH clinical trial definitions and requirements. Selecting the wrong funding opportunity type can create compliance issues later, so the research plan should align with the "Independent Clinical Trial Required" expectation.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with participation associated with multiple NIH Institutes and Centers as reflected by the listed federal assistance listings (CFDA/Assistance Listing numbers).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is PAR-21-272.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a discretionary grant (Funding Instrument: Grant).
Which Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The information provided indicates multiple NIH Assistance Listings are involved, including examples such as 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, and others listed in the source data.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicant organizations are broad and include public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and various units of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as tribal governments and tribal organizations.
Are minority-serving institutions or specific institution types explicitly included as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible categories that align with diversity and capacity-building priorities, including 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).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among the eligible categories listed.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions among the eligible categories.
Are eligible federal agencies allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible federal agencies among the eligible applicant categories listed.
Are non-U.S. (non-domestic) organizations eligible to apply directly?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply for this opportunity based on the foreign eligibility rules provided.
Can a U.S. organization include non-domestic components as part of its application?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply under the rules described.
Are any international elements allowed at all?
Yes, in a limited way. "Foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. This means a U.S.-based applicant may be able to include certain foreign elements within the project if they meet NIH policy requirements and are appropriately justified and approved.
Does the provided information specify the award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data. This can be typical for NIH announcements where budgets depend on institute participation, applicant needs, and NIH policy caps for the activity code.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The record lists an original closing date of 2024-07-24.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2021-08-17.
What career stage is this program designed to support?
Based on the description provided, this program is designed for postdoctoral researchers preparing to transition from mentored training into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty roles.
What kinds of positions are targeted for the transition to independence?
The program is designed to help scholars move into independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty positions, with the R00 phase supporting the transition after securing an eligible independent position.
How does MOSAIC aim to impact long-term career outcomes?
The program is intended to provide a funded runway from mentored development to independence, which can improve competitiveness for long-term research funding and support faculty retention by helping new investigators establish early momentum.
How does MOSAIC connect individual career development to broader workforce goals?
MOSAIC combines an individual transition award (K99/R00) with an organized cohort experience coordinated through UE5 grantees. This structure is meant to support persistence and success into independent careers while strengthening diversity and excellence across the NIH-funded biomedical research workforce.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 21 272) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 271 Funding Number: PAR 21 271 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2/R00 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 078 Funding Number: PAR 22 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| PHS 2023-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 23 232 Funding Number: PA 23 232 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 298 Funding Number: PAR 23 298 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 145 Funding Number: PAR 24 145 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 144 Funding Number: PAR 24 144 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Whole Person Research and Coordination Center (Whole Person RCC) U24 (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AT 24 010 Funding Number: RFA AT 24 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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