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The NIA F99/K00 opportunity is currently expired. A forecast of an NIA F99/K00 reissue was recently published on Grants.gov, with an anticipated first due date of February 2026. However, there is no guarantee that the F99/K00 will be available until the Notice of Funding Opportunity itself is published. To receive notice of any future reissues of NIA training and career development opportunities, including the F99/K00, please sign up for the NIA Training and Career Development newsletter .
The NIA F99/K00 award supports graduate students in finishing their dissertation research on any topic and continuing to a postdoctoral position conducting research on aging. The award has two phases: the F99 phase supporting predoctoral training and the K00 phase supporting postdoctoral training. This award is open to Ph.D. students studying in the United States who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or on a valid U.S. visa. View other NIA fellowships available to graduate students .
Variety of Dissertation Topics Encouraged
For the F99 predoctoral portion of this award, no focus on aging is required. NIA invites outstanding graduate students from a wide range of broad research areas who are interested in receiving aging-related postdoctoral training to apply for this award.
NIA F99/K00 Sample Applications Available
Read sample F99/K00 applications to the NIA and their accompanying reviewer summary statements.
NEW: Resubmissions Allowed. Pursuant to a recent Notice of Correction ( NOT-AG-23-041 ), resubmissions are now allowed for the F99/K00.
| Phase | Application or Resubmission Due Date | Initial Review Date | Council Review Date | Earliest Possible Award Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F99 | October 18, 2024 | March 2025 | May 2025 | July 2025 |
| K00 | 12-16 weeks before proposed start of postdoc (details below) | 60 days after receipt of application | N/A | Proposed by applicant |
Award Duration
- F99 Phase (predoctoral): Minimum of one year and up to two years
- K00 Phase (postdoctoral): Up to four years
There is no prescribed eligibility timeline for the F99 award, but applicants should require one or two years of additional predoctoral training before graduating with the Ph.D. At the time of application, Ph.D. students will typically be in the third or fourth year of their graduate program. Dual-degree students or others who will require clinical training between their Ph.D. and postdoctoral research phases are not eligible to apply to this award.
All K00 awardees are guaranteed three years of postdoctoral research funding. To receive the fourth year of K00 support, awardees must apply for a career development award, such as the K99/R00, before the end of their third year of K00 support.
How to Apply
Find general information on applying to fellowships .
F99 instructions
Detailed application instructions specific to the F99/K00 can be found in the notice of funding opportunity, especially in Section IV, Application and Submission Information. Importantly, most application components should address BOTH the F99 dissertation research phase, and the K00 postdoctoral research plans. Applicants are required to use at least one year of the F99 phase of the award.
Although it is not required to select a K00 (postdoctoral) mentor in the initial F99 application, proposing one with extensive research experience and mentoring history of junior scientists is desirable. For those applicants who do not propose a postdoctoral mentor, make sure to include a clear strategy and plan for identifying a K00 mentor. For additional F99/K00 application tips, see this NIA blog post .
Further application details can be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide . NIA intends to commit $450,000 in fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025 to fund 7-10 awards each year.
K00 instructions
The K00 transition application should be submitted by the K00 institution, in PDF format, via the NIA Career Transitions Platform . Institutions must submit the application 12-16 weeks prior to the proposed activation date of the K00 award. Further instructions on the transition application are provided below.
F99/K00 Stipend and Funding Levels (2022-2025)
Yearly award budgets for the F99 phase are composed of stipend, tuition and fees, and institutional allowance (F99). In the K00 phase, the yearly award budget covers salary, research and career development support, and indirect costs. F99 stipends update every year according to NRSA predoctoral stipend levels .
| Year | Stipend | Maximum Tuition | Institutional Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $27,144 | $16,000 | $4,550 |
| Year 2 | $27,144 | $16,000 | $4,550 |
F99: Tuition and fees paid can be 60% of total institutional tuition, or the maximum listed here, whichever is less. Institutional allowance may be used to cover expenses such as health insurance, research supplies, equipment, books, and travel to scientific meetings. The F99 institutional allowance is $4,550 yearly, plus a one-time additional allowance of $1,500 to cover travel to the proposed K00 institution to meet the postdoctoral mentor and discuss research strategy for the K00 portion of the award.
| Year | Salary | Research and Career Development Support | Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $60,542 | $5,000 | 8% |
| Year 2 | $62,195 | $5,000 | 8% |
| Year 3 | $63,903 | $5,000 | 8% |
| Year 4 | $67,776 | $5,000 | 8% |
K00: Research and career development support may cover coursework on aging, research expenses including supplies, equipment, and technical personnel, travel to aging-related meetings, and statistical services. The K00 provides $5,000 yearly in research and career development support.
The above stipends apply to individuals applying to the currently active F99/K00 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Current F99 holders preparing the budget section of the K00 transition application should refer to the F99/K00 funding announcement to which they originally applied and request the K00 salary amounts listed therein. Previous F99/K00 NOFOs and their due dates were: RFA-AG-20-009 (October 2019), RFA-AG-21-022 (October 2020), and RFA-AG-22-026 (February 2022).
Childcare Costs
Additionally, each fellow may request $3,000 per year during the F99 phase of the award to defray childcare costs from a licensed provider. Learn more in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Childcare Costs .
Components of an Individual Fellowship Application
Each fellowship application requires many parts; you should begin preparing your application well before the deadline. Below, you will find the major components of an application and their length limits:
| Application Component | Length Limit |
|---|---|
| Abstract | 30 lines of text |
| Project Narrative | 3 sentences |
| Applicant Biosketch* | 5 pages |
| Sponsor Biosketch | 5 pages |
| Applicant Background and Goals for Fellowship Training | 6 pages |
| Specific Aims | 1 page |
| Research Strategy | 6 pages |
| Sponsor Statement | 6 pages |
| Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training | 2 pages |
| Certification Letter** | 1 page |
| 3-5 Reference Letters | 2 pages each |
*A biosketch is a document containing a CV, personal statement, and description of past research experience. F99 applicants should include the Part D — Scholastic Performance section in their biosketch.
**Under “Other Attachments,” applicants are required to attach a letter from their institution certifying the applicant is at the dissertation research stage of training. The letter must be on institutional letterhead, with a signature from an institutional official. For applicants in the U.S. on a valid temporary visa, please also include assurance that the applicant can stay in U.S. to complete the F99 phase of the award.
Detailed instructions for each application part can be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide under the fellowship instructions and in the notice of funding opportunity.
Is My F99/K00 Research Topic Appropriate for NIA?
Consult the list of currently funded F99/K00 awards .
If you would like feedback on the appropriateness of your research topic for NIA, please submit a one-page overview of your specific aims to NIATraining@mail.nih.gov . A scientific program official from the appropriate division will contact you soon thereafter.
K00 Transition Application
View the
In order to transition to the K00 phase, a postdoctoral position (or equivalent) must be offered and accepted. The K00 phase institution should submit an application on behalf of the candidate for the K00 award using Career Development (K) instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide , as well as any instructions found in Section VI of the NOFO. The K00 institution’s Authorized Organizational Representative must submit the application in PDF format via the NIA Career Transitions Platform . For questions on the K00 Transition application format or process, please contact the NIA Training Office ( NIATraining@mail.nih.gov ).
K00 Application Timing
Applications must be received at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed K00 activation date. Due to delays in processing at the end of the NIH fiscal year, K00 transition applications with proposed postdoctoral start dates between Aug. 24 and Sept. 30 must be received no later than June 1. This will ensure the transition to the K00 phase takes place without interruption in funding.
| Desired K00 Start Date | K00 Due Date |
|---|---|
| Oct. 1-Aug. 23 | At least 12 weeks prior to K00 start date |
| Aug. 24-Sept. 30 | By June 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
General F99/K00 Questions
At what point during my doctoral program is the best time to apply for the F99/K00?
The best time to apply is when you have two to three years left in your Ph.D. program. This allows for approximately nine months from the time of your application to the award, followed by 12 to 24 months of funding. By the time of the award, you should be at the dissertation phase, having identified a lab for your dissertation research and passed any qualifying exams. The K00 phase provides three to four years of funding for a subsequent postdoctoral research project.
Does my research have to be on aging?
For your Ph.D. program, your research can be in any field. The postdoctoral research you are proposing for the K00 phase must be on aging.
When are applications due?
The F99/K00 has one deadline a year, typically in October. If your application is successful, your award would typically start by the beginning of summer in the following year.
Can I apply for the F99/K00 if I already have an F31 or other predoctoral fellowship?
Yes, but you typically can’t hold two types of fellowships at once, so if you get the F99 you’ll need to choose whether to keep the other award or terminate that award and move to the F99. Holding an F31 or another award does not make it less likely that your F99 will be awarded.
My degree requires me to complete a non-research internship year in order to receive the Ph.D. Am I eligible to apply for the F99/K00?
No. Gaps are not allowed between the F99 and K00 phase, except in rare cases. You are required to transition directly from the F99 research to K00 research phase.
Can I apply for the K00 by itself, and skip the F99 phase?
No, you must apply for the F99/K00. Postdocs and soon-to-be postdocs should consider the F32 instead.
How should I get feedback on my specific aims?
Send a one-page overview of your specific aims to NIATraining@mail.nih.gov to receive feedback on how your aims are structured and whether your K00 phase project is a good fit for NIA’s mission.
Can leftover funds be carried over from the F99 phase to the K00 phase award?
No, funds cannot be carried over from the first year of the F99 to the second year, nor from the F99 to the K00 phase.
F99/K00 Application Questions
What’s the difference between letters of support and reference letters? Who should write each of these letters?
In letters of support, collaborators, consultants, or other contributors to your proposed research project convey their enthusiasm for your project, confirm their participation, and discuss the tangible support they will provide toward the execution of the project. Letters of support are detailed and focus on the project.
Letters of reference, on the other hand, are focused on you, highlighting your experience, your potential as a researcher, and your qualifications to carry out the proposed research. Reference letters should come from people who are not involved in the application, such as past mentors or advisors, former collaborators, or even course professors you know well. For more information, see the NIH Reference Letters page.
Should my Ph.D. mentor contribute to the letter of support, letter of reference, or the sponsor statement?
Your Ph.D. mentor (or co-mentors) should write the sponsor statement. That statement should align with what you have written in your goals for fellowship training and demonstrate a shared understanding of your career development plans.
If I’ve identified a potential K00 postdoctoral mentor, should they write a letter of support, letter of reference, or contribute to the sponsor statement?
Your potential K00 mentor should write a letter of support. You should also collaborate with that person to write the K00 research strategy and career development plan. Note that you are not required to have identified a K00 mentor.
Should the institutional environment section focus just on the predoctoral institution, or should it consider the proposed postdoctoral institution as well?
This section should focus primarily on the predoctoral institution. You may also discuss general resources you will need at the proposed postdoctoral institution, such as required facilities or equipment.
Should the goals for training focus on just the F99 predoctoral phase or also the K00 postdoctoral phase?
Both. You should have clear, detailed training goals and plans for the F99 phase, and a strong vision for your goals and activities in the K00 phase.
What biosketch format should I use?
The fellowship format, which includes a list of all undergraduate and graduate courses, with grades. See biosketch instructions .
Where can I learn about success rates for the F99 or other NIH awards?
You can learn about success rates from NIH RePORT .
Can I stay at the same institution for my K00 phase?
Yes, but in your application you should explain clearly how you will achieve independence from your predoctoral mentor if you stay at the same institution.
Can I apply to both the F99 and F31?
You can’t have two applications under review with overlapping aims at the same time. You will have to wait until you receive a summary statement from one application before submitting another application.
General fellowships questions
Is the fellowship stipend amount added to institutional funding for my stipend, or in place of it?
The fellowship stipend goes to your institution, and it is up to them to disburse it. Typically, the NIH fellowship stipend funding will offset your stipend or salary, replacing all or part of your institutional funding.
Can I conduct research outside of the U.S.? Can my institution be outside the U.S.?
You need to be associated with a U.S. institution. NIA is interested in understanding aging both within the U.S. and abroad, so your research topic could have an international focus. If a major research component is happening outside the U.S., such as travel to another country to collect data, you would need an additional justification. Write to NIATraining@mail.nih.gov to discuss further.
How many mentors should I have?
Multiple mentors are allowed. Each mentor should bring unique expertise or support that is essential for the proposed research and career development. If you have multiple mentors, it is best to have one primary mentor who is responsible for overseeing your research and career development. If you are proposing multiple mentors, clarify their different roles and how they would work together or communicate. All mentors should contribute to the sponsor statement.
Do I have to use all of the years of my award or can I end it early?
You can terminate a fellowship early if you finish your Ph.D. or postdoc earlier than expected.
Are first-author publications required for the application?
First-author publications are not required. Publications are one item among many that reviewers consider.
Where can I find success rates?
You can learn about success rates from NIH RePORT .
What research areas does the NIA fund?
Learn about NIA’s extramural research divisions .
How can I get feedback on my aims?
Please submit a one-page overview of your specific aims to NIATraining@mail.nih.gov .
Do I need to have human subject (IRB) or vertebrate animal (IACUC) approvals in place before I submit my application?
No, these are needed “Just-in-Time” — that is, after your application has been reviewed and while it is under consideration for funding.
What’s the difference between letters of support and reference letters? Who should write each of these letters?
In letters of support, collaborators, consultants, or other contributors to your proposed research project convey their enthusiasm for your project, confirm their participation, and discuss the tangible support they will provide toward the execution of the project. Letters of support are detailed and focus on the project.
Letters of reference, on the other hand, are focused on you, highlighting your experience, your potential as a researcher, and your qualifications to carry out the proposed research. Reference letters should come from people who are not involved in the application, such as past mentors or advisors, former collaborators, or even course professors you know well. For more information, see the NIH Reference Letters page.
F99/K00 at a Glance
- Eligibility: Ph.D. students at the dissertation stage.
- Maximum Award Duration: two years predoctoral, four years postdoctoral.
- Stipend/Salary: $27,144 predoctoral, $60,542-$67,776 postdoctoral.
- K00 Application: The K00 institution’s authorized organizational representative must email the application in PDF format to NIATraining@mail.nih.gov and copy the program official and the grants specialist on the award.
- K00 Transition Deadline: K00 transition applications should be submitted 12-16 weeks before the desired K00 start date (details below).
- Questions? Contact NIATraining@mail.nih.gov .
NIA F99/K00 Transition to Aging Research Webinar
On Aug. 17, 2023, OSEP’s Jamie Lahvic hosted a webinar and live Q&A discussion on NIA’s F99/K00 award. The webinar provided participants with an overview of the award, including eligibility and application requirements.