GrantPostedDiscretionary

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health
PAR-26-121
Application Deadline
May 26, 2028
771 days left
Days Remaining
771
Until deadline
Award Ceiling
Total Program Funding

Grant Opportunity Analysis

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional) to provide stable and flexible funding support for individual investigators aligned with the scientific mission of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). This grant aims to enhance funding stability, foster innovative research projects, and reduce administrative burdens, allowing researchers to focus more on their scientific endeavors and mentorship of junior scientists. Eligible applicants include NIGMS-funded investigators and New Investigators, with specific guidelines for Early-Stage Investigators to apply through a separate notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). The application deadline is May 26, 2028, and interested parties can reach out to NIGMS at NIGMS_EINIMIRA@nigms.nih.gov for further information. The typical budget for New Investigator MIRA grants is set at $275,000 annually in direct costs.

Eligible Applicants

Others
Additional Eligibility Information

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/Foreign CollaborationsNon-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.NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. This new requirement was effective, May 1, 2025.Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.

Grant Documents

1 Files
PAR-26-121-Full-Announcement.html
HTML146 KBDec 14, 2025
AI Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announced the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-26-121). This reissued funding opportunity aims to provide stable, flexible, and efficient research support for individual investigators within NIGMS’s scientific mission. The MIRA grant seeks to increase funding stability, foster creative and ambitious projects, distribute funding more broadly, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance mentorship. Eligible applicants include NIGMS-funded investigators and New Investigators, with specific guidelines for Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) to apply through a separate NOFO. The award offers longer grant periods, higher renewal rates, and budget adjustments based on prior funding and other commitments, with New Investigator MIRA budgets typically set at $275,000 annually in direct costs. The application process requires adherence to specific instructions, including the omission of Specific Aims and detailed experimental plans, focusing instead on a broad overview of the research program and future directions. Clinical trials are optional, with specific restrictions on the types of trials permitted. The MIRA is designed to consolidate NIGMS funding, requiring adjustments for overlap with other grants. Submissions are due by 5:00 PM local time on specified dates, with the expiration date of May 27, 2028.

Related Grant Opportunities

Project Timeline

postedOriginal Opportunity PostedDec 11, 2025
deadlineApplication DeadlineMay 26, 2028
expiryArchive DateJul 25, 2028

Funding Details

No cost sharing required

Agency & Classification

Agency
National Institutes of Health(HHS-NIH11)
Funding Category
Health
Funding Instrument
Grant

Grantor Contact

CFDA Numbers

93.859

Official Sources