The Successful K Award Application: A Reviewer’s Perspective

The K career development awards support mentored lab-based or patient-oriented research designed to foster the career development of young investigators. They help transition from junior faculty positions to independent research-based academic positions. In 2017, the K award success rates ranged between 18-30% in different institutes. Funding opportunities are often missed due to poor understanding of what is available and how the award can be secured. 

In this workshop, Dr. Aurelian will discuss the different programs, and how to develop the best match for you. She will explain the reviewers’ expectations and the most common misconceptions, provide an overview of the strategies to be used in order to write a competitive proposal and discuss a pilot program for one-on-one consultation to provide specific help, as needed.

 Following the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing one-on-one consultation with Dr. Aurelian to provide specific help through the submission of the K award.

Key messages

• Understand the K awards and how they are appropriate for you 
• How to optimize the message and meet NIH expectations
• Writing your application; required components 
• Step by step strategies, mentors’ selection and institutional support 
• How to best describe yourself as the candidate and optimize the presentation of your career development plan 
• How to optimize presentation and writing of your research proposal 
• Review strategies and tips from award recipients and reviewers