Initial Outcomes for the NHLBI K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Program in Relation to Long-Standing Career Development Programs: Implications for Trainees, Mentors, and Institutions.

Sufficient history now exists to assess the National Institutes of Health Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), first offered in 2007 to support the career development of biomedical researchers. The success of K99 (Mentored Phase of the K99/R00) principal investigators in obtaining subsequent grant support was compared with that of principal investigators supported by the long-standing K08 (Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award) and K23 (Mentored PatientOriented Research Career Development Award) programs. For cardiovascular K awards initiated in fiscal years 2007 to 2009, K99 principal investigators were more successful in obtaining subsequent grant support than the other groups. Although a bibliometric analysis showed similar publication quality for all groups, the K99 group was most persistent in applying for the next grant. Possible implications of these findings for all K Award principal investigators, their mentors, and institutions are presented.