Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS) (K38) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Q1: How long of a gap between R38 and K38 is allowed?

A1: Because of the variability in structure and length of participating residency programs, there is no limit on the time between R38 completion and initiation of a K38 application or award. Prospective Transition Scholars are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate NIH Program Official as soon as a plan to pursue a fellowship or a faculty position develops. For those candidates going into subspecialty clinical fellowship, the Transition Scholar candidate is responsible for an appropriately timed submission of an application that will align with the research phase of their fellowship program or entry into faculty position.

Q2: It seems the ideal time for the K38 would be immediately post fellowship, i.e. when beginning a junior faculty position. Is this the thought?

A2: The K38 is appropriate for the research phase of fellowship training or during early career faculty (defined as instructor or assistant professor for less than 40 months at the time of K38 submission or resubmission). The candidate should consider the timeframe for the K38 that will maximize available funding opportunities and best support the application to other career development awards (e.g. K01, K08, K23) as pathways to independence. Availability of K38 funds in future years is always dependent on IC allocations at the time, so communication with the appropriate NIH Program Official is encouraged.

Note that the NIA will support only investigators in clinical fellowship under the K38. Investigators interested in research support as early career faculty are encouraged to consider NIA's GEMSSTAR program.

Q3: Could the K38 span a year of fellowship and a year of early career faculty for a total of 2 years?

A3: Yes, this is allowed for most participating ICs. However, the K38 application would need to include confirmation of a faculty position and ongoing mentorship support. This scenario may be probably more feasible if the applicant intends to remain at the same institution for the fellowship and faculty position, although this is not a program requirement. Of note, NIA only supports K38 candidates who will be in a fellowship at the time of K38 Transition Scholar Award.

Q4: If a trainee is supported by one institute for their R38, are they eligible for support from another institute for their K38? (ie R38 NHLBI and K38 NCI)?

A4: No, this scenario would generally not be allowed. However, exceptional situations may exist, and as such, the K38 Transition Scholar candidate is encouraged to contact the NIH program official overseeing the R38 institutional award as soon as they have developed a research direction for their K38 Transition Scholar application. As a reminder, R38 resident investigator research should align with the IC mission through which the R38 was funded.

Q5: Would the K38 research project need to be related to the R38 project or could these be independent projects?

A5: Yes, they can be independent projects. However, it will be important to identify in the Candidate Section of the application how the R38 research project and R38 program environment created a scientific and intellectual foundation (tools, techniques, etc.) towards future research activities.

Q6: Regarding pediatric fellowships (or others that have a similar structure), the 1st year is clinical with 2 years of academic/research time, would it be possible to submit the K38 application prior to starting fellowship & directing that funding to the latter 2 years?

A6: In general, deferment of funding from one fiscal year to a subsequent fiscal year is not allowed. Therefore, if a K38 application was submitted in October 2021 and recommended for funding, that funding would be anticipated to begin in FY22, and could not be deferred to FY23 or subsequent fiscal years. Prospective K38 Transition Scholars are permitted to apply for the K38 during their R38 research period provided their R38 research training period will be completed prior to the presumptive K38 award start date. Prospective K38 Transition Scholars are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate NIH Program Official as soon as a plan to pursue a fellowship or a faculty position develops. For those candidates going into subspecialty clinical fellowship, the Transition Scholar candidate is responsible for an appropriately timed submission of an application that will align with the research phase of their fellowship program or entry into faculty position.

Q7: For fellowship programs that have not previously supported a K38 physician scientist (Transition Scholar), how would that impact fellowship structure/protected research time? And how to address this with potential program directors?

A7: Prospective applicants should discuss their interest in applying for the K38 during their interviews with fellowship program directors and highlight some of the critical requirements for eligibility and timing of application noted in the FOA including, but not limited to:

• Evidence of institutional commitment which includes access to adequate mentorship and research environment and commitment to provide protected research time
• Alignment of proposed research project with sponsoring IC’s interest

Prospective Applicants and Fellowship directors are welcome to contact the appropriate NIH Program Official to discuss program requirements and application submission timing.

Q8: My institution currently supports resident research using institutional funds outside of the R38 program. Can some of them apply for the K38?

A8: No. The institutional R38 and individual K38 are pilot programs intended to recruit/retain clinician investigators, and have a specific design. These programs will be assessed for their impact on research and career development. Certain R38 programs have cost-sharing agreements with the relevant NIH IC to support additional R38 resident scholars. In this scenario, all residents identified in xTRAIN as having completed the R38 research requirements (12 months during residency) would be eligible for the K38 award.

Q9: How will my K38 be reviewed?

A9: A Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) with experts from each participating NIH Institute/Center will review these applications as a group. The focus of the review is the potential of the candidates and assurance that the proposed research is a vehicle for research and career development.

Q10: Can I revise and reapply for my K38?

A10: Yes, if the initial K38 application was unsuccessful, a K38 Transition Scholar candidate may submit a revised application for a subsequent submission date. The revised application may be for the same duration of research training as the original application, or for a different duration as appropriate, but must be at least one year, and no more than two years in length.