The Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) is aimed at preparing individuals with clinical doctoral degrees for research careers that will significantly impact health-related fields. The award provides three to five years of salary and research support, giving recipients protected time for intensive research training and career development. It is intended for clinician-scientists in biomedical or behavioral research, including translational research focused on advancing knowledge in diagnosing, treating, and preventing human diseases. This funding opportunity is particularly suited for those who intend to lead an independent clinical trial, feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial.

The K08 award supports candidates with varying levels of prior research experience. Those with limited research training may include a period of didactic study before moving into a mentored research experience, while candidates with more experience can focus directly on intensive research projects. The program also supports basic science experimental studies involving human participants that meet the definition of a clinical trial, as these studies prospectively assign individuals to conditions to assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes, aiming to understand fundamental biological or psychological processes.

Candidates must hold a clinical doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, DMD, PharmD, etc.) or equivalent, and may have additional certifications in clinical disciplines such as clinical psychology or nursing. The applicants should not have served as principal investigators on major research grants like R01 or equivalent, though those with experience on smaller grants (R03, R21) remain eligible. A U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required, and the awardee must commit at least 75% of their professional time to the career development program.

The budget covers salary support and other program-related expenses, including research supplies, equipment, tuition, travel, and data analysis services. The institutions must offer a strong research environment with resources that support the applicant's development, and a mentoring plan must be established, detailing the mentor’s involvement in guiding the candidate’s transition to independence. Candidates should propose a rigorous research plan relevant to their career goals and aligned with the mission of one or more NIH Institutes or Centers participating in this program.

Applicants should ensure that their proposals align with the NIH's definition of clinical trials and comply with all data management and sharing policies. Multiple submission dates are available throughout the year, and candidates are encouraged to apply early and consult NIH program staff regarding specific eligibility criteria. Evaluation criteria include the candidate’s potential for scientific development, the quality of the research and career development plans, and the strength of the institutional and mentoring environment.