Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
About
The goal of the Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (PCACO) is to increase the number of clinician-scientists trained in clinical and translational cancer research, and to promote their career development as cancer researchers. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not allow Scholars to propose to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow Scholars to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
The Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (PCACO) is a prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program designed to develop the next generation of clinician-scientists in cancer research. This K12 award supports early-career physicians and clinical professionals who want to transition into independent cancer research careers while maintaining clinical practice. The program is ideal for oncologists, hematologists, and other clinical specialists seeking structured mentorship and protected research time to build expertise in clinical and translational cancer research. Unlike traditional clinical trial grants, this award emphasizes career development and research training rather than leading independent clinical trials—scholars can participate in clinical trials under mentor guidance, but cannot serve as the principal investigator. The program funds salary support, research costs, and educational opportunities to enable clinicians to develop rigorous research programs that bridge laboratory discoveries and patient care. If you're a clinician passionate about advancing cancer science and want dedicated support to establish yourself as a cancer researcher, the PCACO award provides the structured mentorship, resources, and career development framework needed to succeed. This is particularly valuable for those at U.S.-based institutions seeking to make a meaningful impact on cancer treatment and patient outcomes through rigorous clinical and translational research.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
March 12, 2029
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Varies by funding cycle
Deadline
2029-03-12
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual
Best For
Clinicians (MDs, DOs, and other clinical professionals) seeking to transition to cancer research careers with structured mentorship
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Applicants must be affiliated with U.S. domestic organizations. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, though foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. For comprehensive eligibility requirements including career stage, citizenship status, and institutional requirements, refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) or visit the NIH grants website.
How much funding does Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provide?
Specific funding amounts vary and are not listed in the available information. Contact the National Cancer Institute (NCI) directly or review the official NOFO for current funding levels and award details for the specific funding cycle you're interested in.
How do I apply for Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Applications are submitted through the NIH electronic submission system (eRA Commons/ASSIST). The application deadline is March 12, 2029. You must work with your institution's grants and contracts office to submit through the official NIH portal. For detailed application instructions, required forms, and submission guidelines, visit the NIH Grants website or the National Cancer Institute's funding opportunities page.
What can Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding be used for?
Funding supports clinician-scientist career development in clinical and translational cancer research, including mentored research experiences, salary support, and research-related costs. Scholars gain experience participating in clinical trials under mentor leadership and develop expertise in cancer research. The award specifically does not support scholars leading independent clinical trials, but emphasizes training and career development to establish clinicians as independent cancer researchers.
Last updated: July 5, 2026