HEAL National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Award (HEAL K12)
The HEAL K12 is a mentored career-development program for early-career clinician-scientists conducting clinical pain research. Scholars receive at least 75% protected time, tailored training, cross-disciplinary mentorship, and support for research and professional development. Awards provide up to $100,000 in salary, $32,000 in fringe benefits, $2,500 for professional travel, and $50,000 in annual research-support costs for up to three years, plus indirect costs.
No relocation required. K12 Scholars will stay at their home institution and be subcontracted to cover the 75% effort, benefits, research, and travel.
Eligible applicants must:
- Hold a clinical doctoral degree, such as an MD, DO, DDS, PharmD, DPT, or PhD;
- Be within the first five years of a faculty appointment or eligible postdoctoral fellowship;
- Be based at a U.S. educational or health-services institution with clinical pain research resources;
- Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident at the time of appointment; and
- Have institutional support for at least 75% protected time.
The application process begins with a two-page Letter of Intent (LOI). LOIs must be submitted as a single PDF to UM-HEALK12@umich.edu. Competitive applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Clinical trials are not allowed.
Key dates:
- LOI deadline: November 9, 2026
- Full application deadline: February 12, 2027
- Award announcements: May 1, 2027
- Program start date: June 1, 2027