Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 27 076

The Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (PAR-27-076) is an NIH grant opportunity designed to help early-career clinical researchers launch and solidify truly independent research programs focused on improving human health. The core idea is to provide a structured, well-supported transition into independence while also creating a rare “bridge” between the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) and the wider extramural research community. Unlike many traditional early-career awards that are entirely university-based, this program intentionally begins inside NIH and then offers a pathway to move outward to an academic or other eligible U.S.-based research environment, while keeping the option to remain intramural for those whose work and trajectory fit best at NIH.

The award is organized into two phases. In Phase 1, selected Lasker Scholars are appointed as tenure-track investigators within the NIH Intramural Research Program for up to 5 to 7 years. During this period, scholars run independent research programs and receive their own research budgets, giving them the space and resources to establish a distinct scientific direction, build a team, and generate the clinical research outputs needed to compete at the highest level. Phase 2 is intended for scholars who successfully complete the intramural period and are ready to transition to an extramural setting: it provides up to 3 additional years of NIH support to continue their research at an eligible extramural research institution. Importantly, the program also allows scholars, depending on circumstances and success, to remain as investigators within the intramural program rather than transitioning out, which reflects the program’s broader goal of supporting long-term clinical research leadership wherever it can be most productive.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NIH funding opportunity using the grant funding instrument, and it is labeled “Clinical Trial Optional,” meaning applicants may propose clinical trial-related research if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (including 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.307, 93.310, 93.372, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.879), reflecting that it spans and can align with a wide range of NIH institutes, centers, and health research missions. The notice lists an award ceiling of $499,000 and anticipates approximately 5 awards, indicating a highly competitive program with substantial per-award support. The listed original closing date is 2028-07-07, and the opportunity was created on 2026-08-31.

Eligibility is broad in terms of the types of U.S.-based applicant organizations that can participate, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those categories as specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. That said, the program is explicitly domestic: non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in NIH Grants Policy) are not allowed. Applicants are also directed to consult Section III of the NOFO for the full and precise eligibility requirements, which typically include additional role-specific criteria (for example, who qualifies as an early-stage independent clinical researcher within the program’s intent).

Overall, the Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program is best understood as a high-support, high-selectivity pathway for clinicians and clinical researchers who are ready to lead independent translational or patient-oriented research programs. It combines the infrastructure and collaborative environment of NIH intramural research with a built-in mechanism to transition to an extramural institution, giving scholars both stability and flexibility as they build careers aimed at producing tangible improvements in human health.

  • The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Lasker Clinical Research Scholar's Program (Si2/R00 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.307, 93.310, 93.372, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.879.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-31.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-07-07.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $499,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
Apply for PAR 27 076

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (PAR-27-076)

1) What is the Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (PAR-27-076)?

The Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program is an NIH grant opportunity designed to help early-career clinical researchers launch and solidify truly independent research programs focused on improving human health. A defining feature is that it begins in the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) and includes an option to transition later to an eligible extramural U.S.-based institution.

2) What is the main goal of this program?

The program aims to provide a structured, well-supported pathway into research independence for early-career clinical researchers, while also creating a bridge between the NIH Intramural Research Program and the broader extramural research community.

3) How is this program different from typical early-career awards?

Unlike many early-career awards that are based entirely at universities or other extramural institutions, this program intentionally starts inside NIH as a tenure-track intramural investigator appointment, and then offers a pathway to move outward to an extramural setting with continued NIH support.

4) What are the phases of the award?

The award has two phases:

  • Phase 1 (Intramural): Appointment as a tenure-track investigator in the NIH Intramural Research Program for up to 5 to 7 years.
  • Phase 2 (Extramural transition): Up to 3 additional years of NIH support to continue the research at an eligible extramural research institution.

5) How long can Phase 1 last?

Phase 1 can last up to 5 to 7 years within the NIH Intramural Research Program.

6) What does Phase 1 support look like in practice?

During Phase 1, scholars run independent research programs and receive their own research budgets. The intent is to provide time and resources to establish a distinct scientific direction, build a team, and generate clinical research outputs consistent with independence.

7) How long can Phase 2 last?

Phase 2 can provide up to 3 additional years of NIH support after successful completion of the intramural period, for scholars who are ready to transition to an eligible extramural research environment.

8) Is moving to an extramural institution required?

No. While Phase 2 is designed to support transition to an extramural setting, the program also allows scholars, depending on circumstances and success, to remain as investigators within the NIH Intramural Research Program rather than transitioning out.

9) What type of NIH funding opportunity is this?

This is described as a discretionary NIH funding opportunity that uses the grant funding instrument.

10) Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?

No. The notice is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trial-related research if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required.

11) What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The notice lists an award ceiling of $499,000.

12) How many awards does NIH anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates approximately 5 awards, suggesting a highly competitive program.

13) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2026-08-31.

14) What is the original closing date listed for the opportunity?

The listed original closing date is 2028-07-07.

15) What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad among U.S.-based applicant organizations, including:

  • State governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • Special district governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations
  • Public housing/Indian housing authorities
  • Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), excluding institutions of higher education in those categories as specified
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses
  • Small businesses

16) Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

No. The program is explicitly domestic. Non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply.

17) Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations allowed?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible under this opportunity.

18) Are "foreign components" allowed under NIH policy?

No. The opportunity indicates that foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy) are not allowed.

19) What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity, and what do they imply?

The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (including 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.307, 93.310, 93.372, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.879). This indicates the program can align with a wide range of NIH institutes, centers, and health research missions.

20) Who is this program best suited for?

Based on the description provided, the program is best suited for clinicians and clinical researchers who are ready to lead independent translational or patient-oriented research programs and want a high-support pathway that combines the NIH intramural environment with an option to transition to an extramural institution.

21) Where should applicants look for the full, precise eligibility requirements?

Applicants are directed to consult Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the full and precise eligibility requirements, including any additional role-specific criteria that define the intended early-career clinical researcher audience.

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