NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

HHS-NIH11 RFA-RM-27-004
Posted: Jun 26, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Closes: 09/10/2026

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding
$5,700,000
Award Ceiling
$350,000
Award Floor
$350,000
Expected Number of Awards
10

Description

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps talented new researchers begin their own independent research program soon after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, without first doing postdoctoral training.The award accepts applications on any topic fitting the NIH mission. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.

Synopsis

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps talented new researchers begin their own independent research program soon after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, without first doing postdoctoral training.The award accepts applications on any topic fitting the NIH mission. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:
County governments Special district governments City or township governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) Independent school districts Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Small businesses
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Funding Activity Categories

Health

CFDA Numbers

  • 93.310 - Trans-NIH Research Support

Contact Information

Agency: National Institutes of Health
Contact: National Institutes of Health
Phone: 301-402-2541
NIH Director's Early Independence Award Program
EarlyIndependence@od.nih.gov

Additional Information

Document Type: synopsis
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Version: 1
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026 11:37:43 AM EDT

Related Opportunities