K Awardees
NIAID Holds K Workshop to Foster Science Leaders
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recently hosted its first career development award (K) workshop in Rockville with 63 NIAID-supported extramural K awardees participating and featuring key NIH staff.
Awardees gathered at the 2-day event to exchange information designed to help propel them into independent research careers. They were given guidance on applying for research project grants, conferred with NIH staff and provided feedback to NIAID on the effectiveness of its K programs.
NIAID makes a significant investment in each of its K01, K08, K22, K23, K25 and K99-mentored and transition awardees; the institute is motivated to see them reach research independence (e.g., attaining an R01). Participants were able to attend an array of sessions, including How to Design One’s Research Career, Perceived Challenges to Transitioning to Research Independence, What Reviewers Look for in an NIH Research Grant Application, Roles of Program Officers and Scientific Review Officers and Other Funding Sources to Support Your Independent Research.
NIH launched its career development (“K” program) in 1957 to help develop the nation’s biomedical research workforce. The K awards were designed to provide protected research time to promising investigators following the completion of their formal doctoral and postdoctoral training.