The NIH Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) is designed to provide mid-career clinician-scientists with protected time to focus on patient-oriented research (POR) and mentor junior clinical investigators. This funding opportunity (PA-24-189) specifically supports basic science experimental studies involving humans that fall under the NIH definition of a clinical trial, while also meeting the criteria for basic research. These studies involve prospectively assigning human participants to conditions and manipulating variables to assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes. The goal is to understand the fundamental aspects of phenomena without immediate application toward processes or products.

The K24 award is intended for clinicians typically at the Associate Professor level who have established independent, peer-reviewed research and mentoring programs. The award provides protected time for these researchers to advance their patient-oriented research and mentor junior investigators, particularly those conducting similar research such as K23 awardees. Applicants must propose an independent clinical trial or related study that aligns with NIH's definition of basic research, which focuses on expanding scientific knowledge without direct applications to clinical interventions or products.

The award includes salary support for 3-6 person-months (25-50% of full-time effort) and up to $50,000 per year for research-related expenses, such as supplies, travel, and technical assistance. The total project period may not exceed five years. Importantly, the institution must demonstrate a commitment to supporting the candidate’s research and mentoring activities by providing protected time for these efforts. Institutions must also have a strong research environment to facilitate the candidate's career development and offer resources for conducting clinical trials.

Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a health-professional doctoral degree, such as an MD, DO, DDS, or equivalent. They should have a strong track record of independent research and a commitment to mentoring junior investigators. Candidates with VA appointments must ensure their VA duties do not count toward the full-time effort required for the K24 award. Additionally, the applicant organization must be fully registered with the necessary federal systems, such as SAM and Grants.gov, to be eligible.

Applications will be evaluated based on the candidate's research capabilities, commitment to mentoring, and the proposed research plan. Reviewers will assess the relevance and quality of the proposed study, including its alignment with the NIH's clinical trial requirements and the candidate's career development objectives. The mentoring plan, including the availability of junior investigators and the integration of clinical research curricula, will also be critical to the evaluation.

Applications must follow NIH submission guidelines and are due by the specified standard dates, with the next deadline being June 12, 2024. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong need for protected time to conduct POR, provide clear plans for mentoring, and propose a scientifically meritorious research project that advances basic understanding in their field.