It takes a lot longer to get funded on a K grant than most junior faculty expect. This powerpoint reviews typical timelines, and when to start preparing an application in order to avoid funding gaps.
support, or I have a foundation grant for 2-3 years • So, when should I actually submit my first K application? • Junior faculty often think they have a lot more time than they actually have available
Aims, get feedback, revise • 2 months on Research Plan, cycles of revision • 2 months on career plan, other sections • 1 month for final revisions, feedback, checking • This can definitely take longer than 6 m….
You submit your first K application to your department Jan 2025 0 Submitted to NIH Feb 2025 1 Reviews completed – score released in <=3 business days July 2025 6 Full reviews (pink sheets) released in 30 days Aug 2025 7 Funded on regular budget (score <25) Oct 2025 9 Funded from end-of-year budget (score 25-30)* As late as Oct 2026 Up to 21 *Often best to revise and resubmit in this score range
You submit your first K application to your department Jan 2025 0 Submitted to NIH Feb 2025 1 Reviews completed – score released in <=3 business days July 2025 6 Full reviews (pink sheets) released in 30 days Aug 2025 7 Revised application submitted to department Oct 2025 9 Revised application submitted to NIH Nov 2025 10 Revised app reviews completed Apr 2026 15 Revised app full reviews released May 2026 16 Funded on regular budget (score <25) July 2026 18
You submit your first K application to your department Jan 2025 0 Submitted to NIH Feb 2025 1 Reviews completed – score released in <=3 business days July 2025 6 Full reviews (pink sheets) released in 30 days Aug 2025 7 Revised application submitted to department Oct 2025 9 Revised application submitted to NIH Nov 2025 10 Revised app reviews completed Apr 2026 15 Revised app full reviews released May 2026 16 Funded on regular budget (score <25) July 2026 18 Funded from end-of-year budget (score 25-30) As late as July 2027 30
should be working hard with a 6-month 9or more) fixed timeline to write/submit a K starting 24-30 months from their end of current funding • How many junior faculty have < 24-30 months of funding? • Are they working hard on writing their K? • Do they know, understand the timelines?