NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 642

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 642

The NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (PA-18-642) is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism designed to keep physician-scientists from losing research momentum during the most clinically demanding years of their training. Its central goal is to support exceptional early-career investigators who already hold an MD/PhD and are moving through residency and/or clinical fellowship, a period when sustained research involvement is often difficult. By providing a structured way to carve out focused, protected research time, the supplement aims to help these individuals maintain and deepen their research trajectory so they can transition more efficiently into the next stage of an independent research career.

This opportunity is offered specifically as an administrative supplement, meaning it does not stand alone as a brand-new, independent award. Instead, it provides additional funds to expand or support work that is already being conducted under an existing NIH-funded project. A key requirement is that the proposed activities must remain within the scientific scope of the parent grant. In practical terms, the candidate's research plan needs to fit logically within the aims and overall direction of the active funded project, while still being substantial enough to meaningfully advance the candidate's development as a researcher. NIMH emphasizes that the proposed research experience should have clear potential to contribute significantly to the candidate's long-term research career, not simply provide short-term lab exposure.

The program is explicitly focused on continuity and career development during clinical training, targeting MD/PhD holders who are early in their research careers and who need support to remain engaged in research while meeting clinical obligations. The supplement is intended to buy time and structure for research engagement during residency and/or fellowship, helping prevent the common drop-off in publications, skill development, and project continuity that can occur during these years. The notice indicates that clinical trials may be optional, suggesting that the supported work could involve clinical trial-related activities if appropriate and consistent with the parent award, but it is not inherently limited to clinical trials.

Because this is an NIMH program, the scientific and training environment is expected to align with the mission space of the National Institute of Mental Health. While the provided text does not list specific topic areas, the CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 93.242, which corresponds to NIMH research support. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIMH staff before submitting a request, reflecting NIH norms for administrative supplements where program staff can clarify fit, eligibility, scope alignment, and submission expectations ahead of time.

Eligibility for submitting organizations is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities that commonly hold NIH awards. Examples listed include state, county, city, 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The opportunity also highlights additional categories of eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it draws a clear boundary around non-U.S. applicants: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply either. However, it notes that foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant institution may include certain foreign components in the project where permitted under NIH policy and where justified scientifically.

Administratively, the program is identified as a grant funding instrument in the health funding activity category. The source data lists an original closing date of July 1, 2020, and indicates that an award ceiling and expected number of awards were not specified in the excerpt provided. The opportunity was created on February 7, 2018. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted supplement pathway intended to protect and extend research engagement for MD/PhD clinician-scientists during residency and fellowship, while ensuring the added work stays tightly connected to an active, already-funded NIH project and meaningfully supports the candidate's research career development.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIMH Administrative Supplement Program to Enable Continuity of Research Experiences of MD/PhDs during Clinical Training (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-02-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-07-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

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