The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), offers the NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00), also known under the funding opportunity number PAR-25-021. This grant is intended to support graduate students enrolled in dual degree programs (DDS/DMD and PhD) by facilitating their transition from predoctoral to postdoctoral research stages in the fields of dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research. The funding opportunity aims to strengthen the pipeline of dentist scientists, equipping them to pursue independent research careers.

The F99/K00 award comprises two distinct phases. The F99 phase supports predoctoral training for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years. This phase focuses on helping candidates complete their dual degree programs while preparing for postdoctoral research through mentorship and project planning. The subsequent K00 phase provides up to three years of postdoctoral support, emphasizing career development and continued research. A minimum of 75% of the recipient’s effort during the K00 phase must be dedicated to research, with the remainder potentially used for clinical practice or specialty training.

Funding includes stipends and institutional allowances during the F99 phase, similar to other NIH NRSA fellowships. The K00 phase provides a salary of up to $75,000, plus fringe benefits, and up to $10,000 annually for research development costs. Indirect costs are covered at an 8% rate during the K00 phase. Institutions must have the infrastructure and commitment to support the applicant’s training and career development.

Eligibility for the F99/K00 award is limited to individuals enrolled in U.S.-based DDS/DMD-PhD programs. Candidates must need between one and two years to complete their degrees at the time of the F99 award. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with valid U.S. visas are eligible, provided their visa status supports both phases of the award. Postdoctoral K00 applicants must have successfully completed their dual degrees and secured a qualifying research position, although this mentor or institution does not need to be identified at the initial application stage.

Applications are submitted via the NIH ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional systems. Key submission dates align with standard NIH cycles, with deadlines every April, August, and December. The earliest possible application date is July 8, 2024, with the final deadline for this opportunity being May 8, 2025, following a notice of early expiration.

Evaluation of applications includes review criteria such as the candidate’s potential, the quality of the training plan, mentor qualifications, institutional support, and alignment with NIDCR research priorities. Applications that fail to comply with these guidelines may be returned without review. Selected applicants will receive awards based on scientific merit, program alignment, and available funding. Administrative contacts, including Rachel Sare for scientific queries and Gabriel Hidalgo for financial matters, are available to support applicants throughout the process.