Benefits of the K Award Posted on January 9, 2008 Megan R. Gunnar (bio) discusses some highlights of the K.

There are many different kinds of career awards, but the type for researchers who are already basic researchers rely on the idea that you need additional training in order to pull together areas that are of great promise for, if you go to National Institute of Mental Health, our understanding of the origins of mental health and mental disorders that would fit in with the mission of NIMH.

So early in my career I recognized that I really needed more training. I did apply for an award. I did get it. What it means for you depends in part on your institution, and I’m in a very supportive institution, so Ks presumably are going to relieve you of a good portion of your university obligations -- your teaching, your administrative work, et cetera -- so that you can devote that time to research.

And the K pays the majority of your salary. There’s a cap on how much they’ll pay, but what your institution gets is the money and then they can hire someone else to teach your classes. It depends on your institution how much you actually truly end up getting out of, and how much time you truly can devote to research.

I’ve been freed up to do work with my students, do my research, and that has given me the opportunity to increase the kinds of areas that I’ve tried to integrate and bring in.

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