# An insider’s guide to understanding and obtaining an NIH K career development award

## TL;DR

This paper offers practical advice for physician-scientists applying for NIH K awards, helping them navigate the grant process and improve their chances of success.

## Contribution

The paper provides a unique insider perspective on NIH K award applications, including dos and don'ts and tips from a reviewer's standpoint.

## Key findings

- NIH institute-specific differences in K mechanisms can be confusing for applicants.
- Resubmitting a K application is a common and valuable part of the process, not a sign of failure.
- The paper offers actionable guidance on application components and when to consult program officers.

## Abstract

Physician-scientists in academic medical centers require extramural grant support to launch and maintain their research careers. In order to cultivate the next generation of biomedical researchers, including physician-scientists, the NIH supports multiple career development (K series) awards. For many, their first experience in grant writing is composing a career development award (CDA) application. From the applicant’s perspective, this process can be difficult. For one, NIH institute–specific differences between the same K mechanism can be confusing. Additionally, the importance of the various elements that make up the K application are frequently misunderstood. Furthermore, many K applications will not be funded on the initial submission; therefore, the need to resubmit an application should not be viewed as a sign of failure, but rather can be viewed as an element of resilience in biomedical research. In this piece, we aim to provide guidance for aspiring K applicants — in particular, from the reviewer perspective — with the intent of making the application process more understandable. We offer dos and don’ts on different components of the K application, advice on when to reach out to a program officer, and tips on resubmission. Our overarching goal is to provide support for prospective K applicants in their effort to obtain a K award. While targeted to K applications, most of the contents of this summary apply to any CDA.

This manuscript provides advice to physician-scientist Applicants wishing to apply for an NIH K award, with a goal to provide support for prospective K Applicants.