The Mentored Research Career Development Program Award in Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program, issued under Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-196, is administered by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This limited competition supports institutional research career development programs designed to prepare later-stage postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty scholars for independent research careers in clinical and translational science. The program offers protected time and intensive mentorship to facilitate scholars' transition to independent positions in academia, industry, government, or non-profit sectors.

The primary purpose of the K12 award is to create innovative, research-focused career development programs that enhance scholars' expertise in translational science. Supported scholars must commit a minimum of 75 percent of their full-time professional effort to the program (50 percent for surgical specialties). Scholars will develop skills and knowledge across the translational science spectrum, including pre-clinical research, clinical research, clinical implementation, and public health. By the end of the program, scholars should be positioned to advance diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical interventions, and behavioral modifications that improve human health. Programs must also emphasize leadership, communication, team science, entrepreneurship, regulatory science, and project management as core elements of scholar development.

The program promotes an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to translational science, encouraging mentorship across multiple domains. Each scholar must have at least two mentors, one of whom should have a clinical background. Mentors are expected to demonstrate expertise, funding support, and a track record in training junior investigators. Programs should also provide evidence-informed mentor training and include plans to assess mentoring quality. Institutions are encouraged to build on local strengths in clinical and translational research while supporting inclusive, safe, and diverse environments that foster scholar development.

Applicants must submit a K12 application concurrently with a UM1 Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) application (PAR-24-272). Both applications will be evaluated as part of a coordinated effort to advance institutional clinical and translational science capabilities. Only the primary UM1 CTSA hub institution is eligible to apply for this K12 award, and the program must demonstrate clear integration, synergy, and alignment with the accompanying UM1 activities. Funding is contingent on the success of the UM1 application.

Applications must include detailed components such as a program plan, mentor-scholar assessment strategy, external advisory committee description, recruitment strategies, and sustainability plans to ensure scholar support beyond the funding period. Programs must outline clear metrics for evaluating scholar outcomes, such as successful transitions to independent research, publications, and subsequent research grant support. A 15-year tracking plan for scholars' career trajectories is required, along with a dissemination plan to share program findings and resources nationally.

The award budget ranges from $700,000 to $1,500,000 in direct costs annually, depending on the size of the UM1 CTSA hub (Tier G, T, C, or A). Scholar support includes up to $120,000 annually for salary, plus additional funds for research and development expenses, capped at a total of $180,000 per scholar per year. The maximum project period is five years. Applications must adhere to NIH guidelines for responsible conduct of research, data management and sharing, and other federal regulations.

Applications will be reviewed based on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed program, including its ability to prepare scholars for leadership roles in clinical and translational science. Reviewers will evaluate the qualifications of program directors, mentors, and scholars, the program's structure, institutional environment, and strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion. Awardees must comply with NIH reporting requirements, including annual progress reports and scholar tracking, to ensure the program achieves its intended goals.