NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)
Department of Health and Human Services
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.
Funding
Award size
$100K – $1M
Award ceiling
350000
Type
Grant
Dates
Deadline
Next 90 days
Posted
06/26/2026
Closes
2026-09-10
Eligibility
Eligibility
Public and State controlled institutions of higher educationSpecial district governmentsFor profit organizations other than small businessesCounty governmentsPublic housing authorities/Indian housing authoritiesNative American tribal governments (Federally recognized)Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher educationPrivate institutions of higher educationCity or township governmentsSmall businessesIndependent school districtsNative American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher educationOthers (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)State governments
Program
Funding area
Health - HL
Opportunity #
RFA-RM-27-004
Source
Status
Open
Market
Government
Level
Federal
Source
Grants.gov