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Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32)

The Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) supports early-stage postdoctoral scholars for training in cancer research expanding the candidate’s scientific research and career development experience from their predoctoral training. The candidates for this award must be within one year of transitioning to their postdoctoral position or within the first two years of their postdoctoral training to apply for this award (resubmissions included). The candidate must have identified a postdoctoral research group and developed a strong research and training plan prior to, or shortly after, starting with that mentor. The award allows scholars to apply just prior to or at the beginning of their postdoctoral training without the need for preliminary data. Scholars conducting research in all areas of cancer research are encouraged to apply for this postdoctoral career development award program.

Applicant Eligibility

There is no citizenship requirement for ACE K32 candidates. The candidate may be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States, have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or be a non-U.S. citizen with a temporary U.S. visa: For applications submitted on behalf of non-U.S. citizens with temporary U.S. visas, visa status during the ACE K32 award must allow the PD/PI to conduct the proposed research for 3 years at the domestic U.S. applicant institution.

Budget

NCI will contribute up to $80,000 per year toward the salary of the candidate. The requested salary must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the institution and with salaries provided by the institution from its own funds to other staff members with equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned. NCI 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 or career development activities.

How to Apply

  • Applications must be submitted electronically through the institution supporting the proposed postdoctoral training.
  • Applicants must follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, as well as any program-specific instructions in section IV of the Program Announcement.
  • When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.
  • Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Resources

  • Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32 – Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) NOT-CA-25-016
  • Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) NOT-CA-25-017

NCI Staff Contacts

For additional information regarding policies and/or guidance in preparing an application for the ACE K32 Award, contact:

  • Dr. Sonia B. Jakowlew 
    Program Director (PI last name beginning with A-K)
    Email: jakowles@mail.nih.gov
  • Dr. Hana Odeh
    Program Director (PI last name beginning with L-Z)
    Email: hana.odeh@nih.gov

Branch Phone: 240-276-5630

For information regarding fiscal and/or budget issues, contact:

For information regarding referral and review issues, contact:

  • Referral Officer
    Division of Extramural Activities
    Phone: 240-276-6390
    Fax: 240-276-7682
  • Posted:

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