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NIH Research Specialist Award (R50)

NCI Research Specialist (Clinician Scientist) Award

Funds salary support for a clinician scientist who leads and sustains NCI's clinical trials networks without being a grant's principal investigator.

Between cyclesNational Institutes of HealthGlobal

NCI's clinical trials network runs on more than the investigators leading individual trials. It needs clinician scientists who develop trials, get them running at their own institutions, and serve the networks themselves — work that is essential and, until this award, had no funding mechanism of its own.

This Research Specialist Award (R50) supports exactly that person: a clinician scientist cont

Salary support for a clinician scientist contributing to NCI-funded clinical trials research through developing national clinical trials, implementing NCI clinical trials at their institution, and serving the NCI clinical trials networks through review and monitoring committees and similar activities, without serving as principal investigator on a research project grant. The award itself does not fund a new clinical trial.

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.2 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-27-089Source: www.grants.gov