The NIH HEAL Initiative PainCare Clinician Training Program (PCTP) offers the K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (Clinical Trials Not Allowed) to support the career development of early-career clinician-scientists with clinical doctoral degrees. The goal of this award is to foster the career progression of new investigators in pain management research, particularly within the areas supported by the NIH HEAL Initiative's Clinical Research in Pain Management. This award provides a structured and mentored research experience to help scientists develop independent research careers, focusing on translational biomedical or behavioral research without leading an independent clinical trial.

Applicants for the K08 award must propose research that does not involve serving as the lead investigator of a clinical trial. However, applicants may participate in clinical trials led by their mentor or co-mentor. Research areas include biopsychosocial aspects of pain management, such as biomarkers, chronic pain conditions, non-opioid treatments, health equity in pain management, and placebo analgesia. Projects that address both acute and chronic pain across different populations, such as implementation science, pain across the lifespan, and prevention of chronic pain, are encouraged. Cross-cutting research that spans multiple NIH Institutes and Centers is allowed.

The program offers up to $125,000 per year in salary support and up to $50,000 annually for research development costs. These funds can cover expenses such as supplies, participant incentives, and travel to research meetings. Awardees are also required to attend the HEAL R24 Annual National Pain Scientist Career Development Meeting, with up to $2,000 allocated for travel. This meeting provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration with other pain researchers.

Eligible candidates must hold a clinical doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DDS, DMD, DO, PharmD) and have completed their clinical training. They must have a full-time academic appointment and devote at least 75% of their time to research. A mentor or mentoring team is required to oversee the candidate’s research development. The mentor should have a strong track record in mentoring and research in pain management. The institution must demonstrate a commitment to providing the resources necessary for the candidate’s career development.

The K08 award supports career development over a period of 3-5 years. Candidates are required to submit a career development plan and research strategy, which should align with the candidate's long-term career goals. Applicants should also address NIH’s rigor and transparency requirements in their research design. Participation in responsible conduct of research (RCR) training is mandatory for all applicants, with specific guidelines on content and format.

Applications are due by NIH standard submission deadlines, beginning on October 12, 2024, and must be submitted through Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system. The number of awards is contingent on NIH appropriations and the availability of meritorious applications.