At a glance
NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) is a federal competitive grant from National Institutes of Health for the science & technology sector. Funding is up to $350K. Eligible applicants: County governments; Special district governments; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Independent school districts; For profit organizations other tha. The application deadline is September 10, 2026. Apply via the official listing at www.grants.gov.
- Amount
- Up to $350K
- Deadline
- Sep 10, 2026
- Type
- Competitive
- Status
- Closing soon
About this program
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.
Who can apply
County governments; Special district governments; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Independent school districts; For profit organizations other than small businesses; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Private institutions of higher education; City or township governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; State governments; Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification); 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.
How to apply
Apply through Grants.gov using funding opportunity number RFA-RM-27-004. Register your organization (SAM.gov + Grants.gov) before the deadline, then submit the application package listed in the official notice.
Apply at official sourceRelated grants
- NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships NSF · Up to $110K · Oct 15, 2026 Open
- NHLBI Career Transition Award for Intramural Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Trainees (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) NIH · See listing · Jul 12, 2027 Open
- Enhancing Mechanistic Research on Precision Probiotic Therapies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) NIH · Up to $25K · Jun 2, 2027 Open
- Mind and Body Interventions to Restore Whole Person Health via Emotional Well-Being Mechanisms (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) NIH · See listing · Jun 7, 2028 Open