NIDCR Research Training & Career Development

NIDCR Training & Career Development Awards

Supports early career oral health researchers through training and career-development awards in the United States.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) funds a comprehensive ladder of research training and career development awards spanning predoctoral students through mid-career investigators in dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research. Supported mechanisms include individual predoctoral fellowships (F30, F31), the NIDCR-signature F99/K00 Dual-Degree Dentist-Scientist Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award, individual postdoctoral fellowships (F32), mentored career development awards (K01, K08, K23, K99/R00), institutional training grants (T32, T90), and pilot grants (R03, R15 REAP) for investigators at institutions with limited NIH support. Stipend levels for NRSA-based fellowships follow annual NIH NRSA tables published through NOT-OD bulletins.

Eligibility varies by mechanism: NRSA F-series and T-series awards require US citizenship or permanent residency, while institutional T32 and T90 grants are made to domestic universities and research institutions. Individual K-series career development awards are submitted through the applicant's sponsoring institution. The K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award is specifically designed to enable promising dentist-scientist trainees to transition to independent research positions. A reissued T32/T90 institutional training grant covering the DOC research workforce was approved for reissue in May 2025, signaling continued NIDCR investment in pipeline development.

Applications follow standard NIH receipt dates for each mechanism; investigators should check the current NOFO on Grants.gov for the applicable cycle. NIDCR also runs supplemental programs including Mentoring Networks for Early-Career Investigators (reissued May 2025), diversity mentoring supplements, and administrative supplements for dentist-scientist research training. Successful applications demonstrate a clear mentored training plan, a sponsor with a strong track record of trainee productivity, and alignment with NIDCR's Strategic Plan 2021–2026 research priorities.