Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2/R00 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 156

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 156

The Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (PAR 23-156) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed to help launch and sustain the early independent careers of clinical researchers. Its main goal is to give promising clinician-scientists the protected time, resources, and institutional setting needed to build a truly independent research program, with a strong emphasis on research that can meaningfully affect human health. A defining feature of the program is that it intentionally connects the NIH intramural research environment with the broader extramural academic and research community, creating a structured pathway that starts inside NIH and can later transition outward while maintaining NIH support. The notice indicates the award is "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but proposing a trial is not required.

The program is structured in two phases. Phase 1 places selected Lasker Scholars as tenure-track investigators within the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) for up to 5 to 7 years. During this period, scholars are expected to operate as independent investigators and are provided independent research budgets, allowing them to establish a lab or research team, generate foundational data, publish, and develop a coherent clinical research agenda. Phase 2 is designed as a bridge to longer-term independence and broader positioning in the biomedical research ecosystem. Successful scholars may receive up to 3 additional years of NIH support to continue their research at an extramural research facility (for example, a university or other eligible research organization). Alternatively, rather than moving to an external institution, a scholar may be considered to remain as an investigator within the NIH intramural program, reflecting that the program is meant to be flexible about where a scholar ultimately builds their long-term career, as long as the research trajectory remains strong and impactful.

From an applicant eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is broad in terms of organizational types that can apply, which is typical of NIH funding announcements. Eligible applicants include various levels of U.S. government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those specific categories). For-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as small businesses, are also listed among eligible applicants, along with Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The announcement also explicitly highlights categories of "other eligible applicants" that NIH often seeks to encourage, including 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 agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. These inclusions reinforce that the program is open to a diverse set of institutional environments and is compatible with a wide range of research settings.

At the same time, the funding opportunity is clear about restrictions involving foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In practical terms, this means the applicant organization and the supported activities must be U.S.-based without foreign components as part of the proposed project structure under this specific announcement.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant under NIH, with activity categories spanning education, environment, food and nutrition, and health, reflecting the broad cross-cutting nature of clinical and translational research supported across NIH institutes and centers. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the program (including 93.113, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.855, 93.866, and 93.879), which generally signals participation or alignment with multiple NIH components. The opportunity lists an original closing date of August 25, 2023, and a creation date of April 17, 2023. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so those specifics would typically need to be confirmed in the full FOA text or related NIH documentation.

Overall, this program is best understood as a career-shaping, two-step mechanism: first, a substantial intramural tenure-track appointment with resources to develop independence, followed by a time-limited extramural support option (or potential continuation intramurally) that helps scholars transition into stable, long-term independent clinical research roles. The intent is not just to fund a project, but to invest in the researcher and give them a platform that combines NIH intramural strengths with an eventual pathway into the broader external research community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2/R00 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.855, 93.866, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-08-25. (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.

Apply for PAR 23 156

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