NIH HEAL Initiative PainCare Clinician Training Program (PCTP): Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08 - Clinical Trials Required) | PAR 24 217

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 217

The NIH HEAL Initiative PainCare Clinician Training Program (PCTP): Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08 - Clinical Trials Required) is an NIH grant opportunity designed to build a pipeline of early-career clinician-scientists who can become independent investigators in pain management research. It sits under the broader NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative and focuses on developing a cohort of well-trained researchers whose work aligns with the HEAL Clinical Research in Pain Management program. In practical terms, the award is meant to provide protected, mentored time and NIH support during the career stage when clinicians are transitioning from training to independence, so they can establish a sustainable research program and move toward independent NIH funding.

This opportunity is listed as PAR-24-217 and uses the K08 mechanism, which is traditionally aimed at clinicians pursuing intensive, mentored research and career development. A key feature here is that clinical trials are required, meaning applicants are expected to propose and conduct a clinical trial as part of their career development plan and research project. The overall emphasis is on rigorous clinical research in pain care and pain management, consistent with HEAL priorities, and on producing investigators who can continue leading impactful research beyond the mentored phase.

The program is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a discretionary grant. The Funding Activity Category spans areas that include health and related human services fields, and the opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA/Assistance Listing numbers (93.213, 93.273, 93.286, 93.398, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866), reflecting the involvement of multiple NIH institutes or program areas that support pain-related and clinical research efforts.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicant types include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal government agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity makes clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. These restrictions signal that the supported work, institutional base, and program components must remain domestic under NIH policy for this specific HEAL K08 program.

Key administrative details from the posting include an original closing date of 2027-07-12 and a creation date of 2024-06-27. The public listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, so applicants typically need to consult the full NIH funding announcement and associated institute-specific guidance for budget limits, project period expectations, and any cohort or programmatic constraints.

Overall, this grant is best understood as a mentored career development pathway for clinicians committed to becoming independent pain research leaders, with an explicit requirement to conduct a clinical trial and a strong alignment with NIH HEAL priorities in clinical pain management research, all within an eligible U.S.-based organizational setting.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH HEAL Initiative PainCare Clinician Training Program (PCTP): Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08 - Clinical Trials Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.273, 93.286, 93.398, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-07-12.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 24 217

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