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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.

SPECIAL NOTE: The K32 funding opportunities may not be published in The NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts in time to allow for a June submission date. It is recommended that you consider other funding avenues for research training and career development until more information is published about the K32 award. 

If you are considering the K32 award, there are existing alternatives that could be considered and would be appropriate for your career stage. 

1. The NIH F32 NRSA award:  

Although NCI no longer participates in the F32 NRSA funding opportunity after December 9, 2024, several other NIH Institutes do continue to participate. Since you will not be applying to NCI, contact the program officer at the NIH institute managing the F32 award to inquire if your application is aligned with the mission of their institute. See https://researchtraining.nih.gov/programs/fellowships/F32.

2. The K99/R00 awards:

(A) NCI Early K99/R00 award through PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and PAR-23-288 (eligibility window is the first 2 years of postdoc training). See https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/training/funding/early-k99 for details.

(B) NCI K99/R00 award through PAR-25-135 and PAR-25-313 (eligibility window is the first 6 years of postdoc training). See https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/training/funding/k99 for details.

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
  • Updated:

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