The National Cancer Institute (NCI), with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) to support rigorous, mentored scientific research and career development for early-stage postdoctoral scholars. With salary and research development funds, the ACE K32 supports up to three years early in the postdoctoral training period and serves as the foundation for an independent career in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Preliminary data are not required, emphasizing innovative research ideas and thoughtful plans for career development and mentorship that will support postdoctoral scholars who have the potential to become productive, independent investigators in research fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH ICs. 

This program encourages applications from candidates who have not yet completed their terminal doctoral degree and expect to do so within one year of the application due date. On the application due date, candidates may not have completed more than two years of postdoctoral training. Resubmission applications are included in the eligibility window. Candidates must have identified a postdoctoral research group and developed a strong research and career development plan prior to, or shortly after, commencing training with that mentor. Applications must be submitted by the institution where the postdoctoral research will be conducted. Following or near the completion of the ACE K32, awardees may apply for a more advanced NIH career development award (e.g., K01, K08, K99/R00) on their path to research independence. The expectation is that, through this sustained period of mentored research career development, postdoctoral scholars will be competitive for the career development awards that will enable them to launch independent research careers and successfully obtain subsequent research project grant (e.g., R01) funding. Awardees who have received a Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (F99/K00) are not eligible to receive the ACE K32 award.

By the time of award, the candidate must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

NIH will contribute up to $80,000 per year towards salary and the requested salary must be consistent with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries provided by the institution from its own funds to scholars with equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. NIH will contribute up to $30,000 per year toward the research development costs of the candidate, which must be justified and consistent with the stage of development of the candidate and the proportion of time to be spent in research and career development activities. 

Education

• Independent school districts
• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state institutions of higher education

Nonprofit

• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)

Government

• State governments
• County governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Public and Indian housing authorities

Business

• Small businesses
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses