The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has reissued the KUH Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00), designed to support exceptional graduate students in diverse research fields transitioning to postdoctoral research in Kidney, Urologic, or Hematologic (KUH) science. This funding mechanism aims to recruit top-tier candidates from fields such as engineering, data science, neuroscience, and genetics to contribute fresh perspectives and expertise to KUH research. Graduate students already engaged in KUH research are not eligible for this program but are encouraged to apply for the NRSA Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31). The F99/K00 award provides two phases of funding: a predoctoral phase (F99) supporting up to two years of dissertation research and a postdoctoral phase (K00) that supports up to four years of mentored KUH research training.

The award requires candidates to transition seamlessly from the F99 to the K00 phase, with the F99 focusing on non-KUH research and the K00 focusing on KUH research. Candidates must be within two years of completing their Ph.D. and ready to transition to KUH-related research at the postdoctoral level. The program prioritizes a continuous timeline from predoctoral to postdoctoral stages, aiming to prepare candidates for future NIDDK awards, such as the K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award. During the F99 phase, candidates must identify a mentor to guide their dissertation research. The postdoctoral K00 phase should ideally include a KUH-focused mentor, and while this mentor does not need to be secured at the application stage, a strategy for identifying one must be proposed.

Funding for each phase includes stipends and an institutional allowance in the F99 phase, with a salary and career development budget for the K00 phase. For example, in the K00 phase, NIDDK offers a starting salary of $53,760, increasing annually, and up to $14,500 for research-related expenses. Institutional support, resources, and mentorship are critical, and sponsors must demonstrate sufficient funding and facilities to support the candidate’s research and training needs throughout the fellowship period.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based graduate students who have completed their candidacy exams and are actively conducting dissertation research. International students with valid visas may also apply, provided their visa status allows them to complete both award phases without interruption. Institutions eligible to apply include both public and private higher education institutions and some nonprofit research entities. Foreign institutions are not eligible for either phase of the award.

Applications are evaluated on several criteria: the candidate's academic record, research potential, and how well the proposed training aligns with KUH research goals. Reviewers assess the quality of the proposed mentorship, the significance and rigor of the research plan, and the institution’s commitment to fostering the candidate’s career development. Applications are due by December 3, 2024, for the final cycle under this reissuance, with an anticipated start date for awards in 2025. Submission must follow the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with specific requirements for certification letters and documentation of the candidate's qualifications.

The F99/K00 award is designed to encourage doctoral researchers to pursue careers in KUH sciences by providing structured training and support from predoctoral research to a postdoctoral career. This phased approach is intended to attract a diverse range of scientific talent into the field, fostering innovative approaches and long-term contributions to KUH research. Applicants are encouraged to consult with NIDDK program officials before applying, especially if they are considering a postdoctoral placement that requires specific guidance on KUH research.