New Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Programs Announced

UPDATE: The webinar video  and slides [PDF, 863KB] from the MOSAIC Webinar have been posted.

In March, we shared our plans to develop a new program as part of our efforts to enhance postdoctoral career transitions to promote faculty diversity in the biomedical research workforce. We’re pleased to announce that the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) funding opportunity announcements have been published. MOSAIC is designed to facilitate the transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds, such as individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce at the faculty level, into independent faculty careers at research-intensive institutions. The program has two components:

MOSAIC Institutionally-Focused Research Education Cooperative Agreement to Promote Diversity (UE5)
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Supports independent organizations (e.g., scientific societies) of biomedical scientists who conduct research within the NIGMS mission. Awardees will provide skills development, mentoring, and networking opportunities that prepare cohorts of scholars supported by MOSAIC K99/R00 awards to transition into, succeed, and advance in independent faculty careers at research-intensive institutions.

First application deadline: November 15, 2019
Earliest start date: July 2020

MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00)
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Supports postdoctoral scientists from diverse backgrounds conducting research in areas within the NIGMS mission by providing up to 5 years of support in two phases:

• The initial (K99) phase provides support for up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral research training and career development.
• The second (R00) phase provides up to 3 years of independent research support, which is contingent on satisfactory progress during the K99 phase and an approved, independent, tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty position.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply no later than the third year of their postdoctoral training to ensure they receive maximum benefit from the K99 phase of the award, and to facilitate a timely transition to independence. Like the K99/R00 parent announcement, there is a 4-year eligibility window. We’ll consider extensions beyond this window for life events (e.g., 1 year for childbirth or adoption) that impact research progress. During both award phases, cohorts of fellows will participate in mentoring, networking, and professional development activities coordinated by the MOSAIC UE5s described above.

First application deadline: February 12, 2020
Earliest start date: December 2020

Please refer to the funding opportunity announcements for detailed information on eligibility. If you have additional questions about the MOSAIC programs, please contact Kenneth Gibbs.

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