The Emerging Global Leader Award (K43) is a funding opportunity issued by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), alongside several other NIH institutes. The award aims to support early-career research scientists from low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) in advancing their independent research careers in health-related fields. The funding offers a mentored research career development experience, allowing recipients to gain necessary research and administrative skills that will enable them to transition into independent, globally recognized researchers.

This award is intended for junior faculty members at LMIC academic or research institutions who are pursuing health-related research projects that address the specific needs and priorities of their home country. Applicants must have the support of mentors from both their home LMIC institution and a collaborating U.S. institution. The research and career development activities should be directly relevant to the health priorities of the LMIC and primarily conducted within the LMIC. Applicants can propose non-clinical trial research but may gain experience in clinical trials as long as they are not the lead investigator.

Eligible candidates must be LMIC citizens or permanent residents, hold a junior faculty or research scientist position at an LMIC institution, and have prior research experience, ideally with a master's or doctoral degree. The award provides salary support (up to $100,000 per year) for three to five years, with a minimum 75 percent effort dedicated to the proposed research. Research development funds up to $40,000 per year are also available for non-degree-related training, travel, and research expenses.

Key dates for submission include an earliest submission date of November 3, 2024, with full applications due by December 3, 2024. Letters of intent are requested 30 days before the application deadline. The review process will conclude with an earliest start date of July 2025.

Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the applicant's potential for becoming an independent researcher, the strength of the mentoring plan, the relevance of the research to LMIC health priorities, and the quality of the proposed research and career development activities. Candidates are encouraged to submit through NIH’s ASSIST system or other eligible platforms.