The NIH Pathway to Independence Awards (K99/R00) help outstanding postdoctoral researchers complete mentored training and transition in a timely manner to independent, tenure-track, or equivalent faculty positions.

NIH recently announced NOT-OD-20-011, an update to the extension policy on the eligibility window in which Principal Investigators may apply for a K99-R00 Pathway to Independence Award. Applicants for the K99 awards that fall under this new extension policy must have no more than 4 years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the initial (new) or subsequent resubmission application. NIH considers requests for extension of the K99 eligibility window for various reasons, including medical concerns, disability, family care, extended periods of clinical training, natural disasters, and active duty military service. Each of these requests is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Consistent with the NIH Extension Policy for Early Stage Investigator Status (ESI), NIH will approve an extension of 1 year for childbirth within the 4-year K99 eligibility window. 

More information including instructions for submitting a request is available here.