The purpose of the Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) is to support rigorous, mentored scientific research and career development for up to three years for early-stage postdoctoral scholars. Candidates must submit their application up to one year prior to beginning their postdoctoral position or no more than two years after their postdoctoral training begins (resubmissions included). The ACE K32 will foster early, goal-directed planning and encourage innovative applications with the potential for a significant impact on scientific research and career development. Inclusion of preliminary data are not required as the ACE K32 emphasizes innovative research ideas and thoughtful plans for training and mentorship that will facilitate the development of the postdoctoral scholars who have the potential to become productive, independent investigators in research fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary clinical trial . Under this NOFO applicants are permitted to propose a research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
Deadlines: Feb 12, June 12, Oct 12
PAR-27-062 Expiration Date July 13, 2029
By the time of award, the individual must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).
At the time of the ACE K32 application submission or resubmission, candidates must be within one year from beginning their postdoctoral position or within the first two years of starting their postdoctoral training. The start date of the postdoctoral position will be determined based on the date on which the candidate began their first formal postdoctoral training experience or the date on which the candidate undertook post-graduate research training at the terminal degree granting institution before proceeding with formal postdoctoral training.
Current and former PDs/PIs on NIH research project (R01), program project (P01), center grants (P50), Project Leads of program project (P01), or center grants (P50), other major individual career development awards (e.g., K01, K07, K08, K22, K23, K25, K76, K99/R00), or the equivalent are not eligible. Current and former PDs/PIs of an NIH Small Grant (R03), Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21/R33), Planning Grant (R34/U34), Dissertation Award (R36), or SBIR/STTR (R41, R42, R43, R44) remain eligible, as do PD/PIs of Transition Scholar (K38) awards and individuals appointed to institutional K programs (K12, KL2).
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: National Institutes of Health
Sponsor Type: Government/Federal
Address: National Institutes of Health; 31 Center Drive; MSC 2220; Bethesda; MD 20892-2220; USA
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Oct 12, 2026
Oct 12, 2026
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Affiliation: National Institutes of Health
Address: National Institutes of Health; 31 Center Drive; MSC 2220; Bethesda; MD 20892-2220; USA
Website URL: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-AA-24-007.html
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.