The overarching goal of the ARC UE5 program is to provide ARC F99 fellows/K00 scholars with professional skills and the appropriate mentoring and networks to allow them to transition into and succeed in postdoctoral research and career development opportunities, positioning them to advance in impactful careers in the biomedical research workforce that typically require postdoctoral training (e.g., academic research and teaching at a range of institution types, industry or government research). To accomplish the stated overarching goal, this Notice of Funding Opportunity will support evidence-informed educational activities with a primary focus on Courses for Skills Development and Mentoring Activities.
The ARC Research Education Awards are intended to fund organizations that can provide robust mentoring and career development opportunities for ARC F99 fellows/K00 scholars to:
The purpose of the Advancing Research Careers (ARC) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award to Promote Diversity (F99/K00) program is to support promising, late-stage graduate students from diverse backgrounds, for example those from underrepresented groups (see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity), to transition into and succeed in mentored postdoctoral research positions. It is anticipated that successful completion of this phased award program will position ARC scholars to advance in impactful careers in the biomedical research workforce that typically require postdoctoral training (e.g., academic research and teaching at a range of institution types, industry or government research). This two-phase award will provide support for late-stage graduate students pursuing research related to the mission areas of participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) to facilitate the completion of doctoral dissertation projects and research training (F99 phase), and to transition into and succeed in postdoctoral biomedical research and career development opportunities (K00 phase). ARC F99 fellows/K00 scholars will be part of organized cohorts and will be expected to participate in mentoring, networking, and professional development activities coordinated by ARC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5) recipients.
The F99/K00 award will provide up to 5 years of support:
The candidate must have a baccalaureate degree and be currently enrolled as a student in a mentored, biomedical Ph.D. or equivalent research degree program (e.g., Dr.P.H., Sc.D.) at a domestic institution, and should propose research relevant to the mission area of one or more participating NIH ICOs. By the time of award, the candidate must be:
Individuals from diverse backgrounds, for example those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities, are always encouraged to apply for NIH support (See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities). For the purpose of this NOFO, NIH encourages institutions to recruit prospective candidates from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical sciences (for example, see Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity).
For more information about the ARC UE5 and K99/R00 Programs, please read the NOFOs, and contact Dr. Laurie Stepanek or Dr. Lameese Akacem.