Limited Competition: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS) (K38 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HL 27 010

FAQs: Limited Competition StARRTS K38 (RFA-HL-27-010)

1) What is the StARRTS K38 (RFA-HL-27-010) opportunity?

The Limited Competition: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS) K38 is an NIH career development grant designed to support clinician-investigators as they move out of the StARR R38 resident-investigator program and into the next phase of training or early faculty work. The award is intended to provide structured, protected time and a mentored environment so scholars can continue research and career development without losing momentum during demanding transition years.

2) What problem is this K38 meant to address?

The program is built to prevent the common loss of research momentum that can occur when residents who have already demonstrated research commitment and training transition into intensive fellowship years or their first faculty roles. The K38 is meant to keep them on a research trajectory and help them progress more efficiently toward becoming independent investigators.

3) Who are the individuals supported by this award called?

Individuals supported by the K38 under this program are called Transition Scholars.

4) Is this a limited competition opportunity?

Yes. This NOFO is explicitly limited competition, meaning only certain eligible organizations and scholars tied to the StARR R38 pipeline are intended to apply. Applicants are expected to follow the eligibility rules described in the NOFO's Section III.

5) How is this K38 connected to the earlier StARR R38 program?

This K38 is designed as a continuation step after completion of the StARR R38 resident-investigator program (including RFA-HL-26-012 and related prior announcements). It is positioned as a bridge from research-in-residency into post-residency mentored research during fellowship or early faculty stages.

6) What is the main goal of the StARRTS K38 program?

The main goal is to retain and build upon the pool of clinician-investigators developed through the R38 mechanism by creating a continuous pathway from residency research training into research-intensive post-residency training and early faculty development.

7) What career stage or transition period does this K38 support?

The K38 supports a key transition period after residency, providing additional mentored research experiences while the scholar is either (a) completing a subsequent clinical fellowship or (b) in an early career faculty appointment. The specific definition of "early career" is governed by the eligibility language in the NOFO.

8) What types of research does the NOFO mention as being supported?

The NOFO describes mentored research experiences in basic, clinical, and/or translational science as the intended scope for supported research development during the transition period.

9) How does the program handle the balance between clinical duties and research?

The NOFO emphasizes that the proposed blend of clinical duties and research must be compatible with board eligibility and accreditation requirements. The application is expected to show that research time is structured in a way that supports continued progress through accredited clinical training and preserves a viable path to specialty certification.

10) What are the accreditation requirements for medical fellowship training under this program?

For medical fellowship training, only programs recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) can be part of the proposed plan.

11) What are the accreditation requirements for dental specialty training under this program?

For dentistry, only ADA-recognized dental specialty postgraduate programs approved by the Council on Dental Education and Licensure may be included in the proposed plan.

12) What are the accreditation requirements for veterinary specialty training under this program?

For veterinary specialties, only specialties approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association may be included in the proposed plan.

13) What board certification or oversight alignment is expected for physicians?

For physicians, the application must provide evidence that the overall structure of clinical and research activities aligns with requirements for certification or endorsement oversight by a board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

14) What certification alignment is expected for dentists?

For dentists, the application must provide evidence that the structure aligns with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) requirements tied to National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists.

15) What certification alignment is expected for veterinarians?

For veterinarians, the application must provide evidence that the structure is consistent with expectations recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS).

16) Why does the NOFO place so much emphasis on accreditation and certification alignment?

Because the award sits alongside clinical training and clinical responsibilities, NIH is signaling that protected research time must be carved out in a way that does not undermine completion of accredited training or the scholar's path to specialty certification.

17) Are clinical trials allowed as part of the K38 project?

No. The funding opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported career development and research plan cannot include conducting an NIH-defined clinical trial as part of the K38 project.

18) How will applications be reviewed?

Applications will use standard NIH peer review and will be evaluated competitively. Only meritorious applications will be considered for funding.

19) What funding mechanism and category does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses a grant mechanism under the Health funding activity category, and it is structured as an NIH career development award (K38) within the StARRTS program framework described in the NOFO.

20) Approximately how many awards does the NOFO anticipate?

The NOFO anticipates up to about 10 awards.

21) What is the overall award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The overall award ceiling is listed as $6,444,000.

22) What is the closing date shown for this opportunity?

The original closing date is shown as October 13, 2028. Applicants should still follow the active receipt dates specified by NIH.

23) What CFDA numbers are associated with this funding listing?

The funding listing includes multiple CFDA numbers: 93.233, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, and 93.855. These reflect NIH programs and institutes/centers that may be associated with the announcement.

24) What is the overall role of the K38 within the StARR pipeline?

The K38 is positioned as a structured bridge from the R38 residency research experience into the next stage of a clinician-investigator's career, with a priority on sustained mentored research development while maintaining compliance with accredited specialty training and board certification pathways.

25) Where should applicants look for the definitive eligibility rules?

Applicants must pay close attention to the eligibility rules described in the NOFO's Section III, since this is a limited competition opportunity tied to the StARR R38 pipeline.