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NIH Research Specialist Award (R50)

NCI Research Specialist Award for Core and Laboratory-based Scientists

Funds salary and travel for a skilled laboratory or core-facility scientist at NCI-funded programs who will never be the grant's principal investigator.

ScheduledNational Institutes of HealthUnited States

Cancer research runs on more than principal investigators. Core facilities and labs depend on scientists who never plan to run their own grant but whose skill keeps everyone else's research working — and until this award, there was no funding mechanism built around keeping them there.

The Research Specialist Award (R50) is salary and travel support for exactly that person: a non-tenure-track scie…

Salary and travel support for non-tenure-track laboratory and core-facility scientists making essential technical contributions to basic, translational, clinical or population cancer research programs, who have an advanced degree, at least two years on the named program, at least half-time devoted to NCI-funded research, and no independent investigator funding sought in the last five years. Clinical trial work is not allowed.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.20 Nov 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.—
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: PAR-27-088Source: www.grants.gov