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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. 

NOTE: The details on this page are for informational purposes only. Please read and follow all requirements and instructions in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) before applying for an award. Application review information is described in the NOFO. If you have questions before submitting your application, please contact the relevant NCI program staff listed at the end of this page.

For more complete information, reference the funding opportunity PA-27-062 (K32 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), and/or contact the program staff.

General Award Information

General Award Information

The ACE K32 will foster early, goal-directed planning with the potential for a significant impact on the applicant’s scientific research and career development training. Inclusion of preliminary data are not required as the ACE K32 emphasizes innovative research ideas and tailored plans for training and mentorship. Scholars conducting research in all areas of cancer research are encouraged to apply for this postdoctoral career development award program. Clinical trial is not allowed.

 Announcement PAR-27-062 (NCI Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32-Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed).

NCI accepts K32 applications in all areas of cancer research. 

Extension of Eligibility for the NCI K32 Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award due to Childbirth:

Consistent with the NIH Extension Policy for Early Stage Investigator Status (ESI), NCI will approve an extension of one year for childbirth for women applicants within the 2-year K32 eligibility window. Men, those who have adopted children, and same-sex  or partners of individuals giving birth are not eligible for an automatic one-year extension for childbirth, but, can request an extension for childbirth or adoption-related time away from research that will be approved on a case-by-case basis. For consideration, K32 applicants must provide the child’s date of birth in the extension request justification that must be submitted to the program officials and/or scientific/research contact(s) listed in the NOFO at least 12 weeks before submitting an application.

Applicant Eligibility

Citizenship

At the time of the award, the candidate must be:

  • a citizen of the United States
  • or a noncitizen national
  • or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (1-151 or 1-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident.

Citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status is not needed to apply. Citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status is needed at the time of award issuance.

Foreign Nationals with Student VisasNot eligible for this award
Career Stage

Predoctoral, Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellows

  • Candidates should submit their applications up to one year prior to beginning their postdoctoral or clinical fellow position or no more than two years after their postdoctoral or clinical fellow training begins (resubmissions included).
Effort Level/ CommitmentCandidate must commit a minimum of 9 person months (75%) full-time professional effort to the K32 Academic Career Excellence Award.
Duration of Award3 years; the K32 Award is not renewable

 

Budget

Salary

Salary*Up to $80,000/year + fringe benefits
Research Development Support: Salaries for Technical Support, Consultant Costs, Equipment, Supplies, Travel, and Statistical Support**Up to $30,000/year
F&A Costs/Indirect Costs8%
Ancillary Personnel Support: Salary for Mentors, Secretarial and Administrative Assistance, etc.Not allowed

*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 postdoctoral scholars with equivalent qualifications, rank, and responsibilities in the department concerned.

**Requested research development costs of the candidate must be justified and consistent with the stage of development of the candidate and the proportion of time spent on 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 NOFO.
  • When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions in the NOFO.
  • Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Resources

NCI Staff Contacts

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

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

For information regarding referral issues, contact:

For information regarding review issues, contact:

  • Center for Scientific Review, Division of Receipt & Referral
    Email: csrdrr@mail.nih.gov
  • Scientific Review Officer
    Email: found in your eRA Commons account
  • Updated:

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