Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 19 343

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 343

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity is an NIH grant mechanism (K99/R00) aimed at helping talented postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds move more smoothly and quickly into independent faculty careers. It is built around a clear workforce goal: strengthening diversity in the basic biomedical sciences by supporting investigators who are positioned to become competitive, independent scientists in NIH mission areas. The program specifically supports the transition from a mentored postdoctoral stage into a tenure-track or equivalent independent position, generally at a research-intensive institution, with structured support along the way.

This opportunity uses the K99/R00 career transition format. In practice, that means an individual starts in a mentored phase (the K99 portion) while still a postdoc, using that time to sharpen their research direction, produce strong outputs, and complete career development activities that prepare them for independence. Once the awardee secures an eligible independent faculty position, the grant transitions into the R00 phase, which provides independent NIH support to help launch the new lab or research program. The design is meant to reduce the gap between postdoctoral training and independence, while giving investigators protected time and resources to establish a research niche and become competitive for future major NIH awards.

A defining feature of MOSAIC is that it is not only a funding mechanism, but also a cohort-based career development program. MOSAIC scholars are expected to participate in organized scientific cohorts and engage in mentoring, networking, and professional development activities. These cohort activities are coordinated by separate MOSAIC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5) grantees, creating a structured community and support system that goes beyond what a typical individual award provides. The intent is to pair financial support with sustained mentoring, broader professional networks, and community-based reinforcement that can help scholars navigate common barriers to advancement and persist into independent research careers.

The funding opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health and is listed as a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category (CFDA number 93.859). The opportunity number is PAR-19-343, and the original closing date shown in the source data is 2021-08-17, with a creation date of 2019-08-14. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, so applicants typically need to consult the full announcement and NIH institute-specific details to understand budget limits, project period expectations, and institute participation.

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities. The opportunity allows applications from state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) as well as certain Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). In addition, the notice highlights categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions/organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components, as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed under this opportunity. In other words, applicants need to keep the work and the applicant organization within allowable U.S. parameters and avoid arrangements that NIH would classify as foreign components.

Finally, the title includes an important limitation: Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed. That language signals that the proposed research and career development plan cannot include an independent clinical trial as part of the K99/R00 application under this specific announcement. Applicants proposing human studies generally need to ensure their plans fit within the FOA rules and NIH definitions, and when in doubt, they typically verify with NIH program staff whether proposed activities fall under prohibited independent clinical trial conduct for this mechanism.

Overall, MOSAIC K99/R00 is meant for exceptional postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds who are ready to be on a fast track to independence, pairing transitional research support with a cohort-based professional development structure. The program is explicitly designed not just to fund good science, but to help build a more diverse and durable pipeline of independent investigators in NIH-relevant biomedical research fields.

• The National Institutes of Health in the 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 Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-08-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-08-17. (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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