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

The National Institutes of Health is seeking applications for the NIH Director's Early Independence Award to support outstanding early-career investigators. This grant is designed to accelerate the transition to an independent research career by allowing select investigators to bypass the traditional postdoctoral training period and immediately pursue independent research. Applicants from all scientific fields relevant to the NIH mission are welcome, and the program encourages projects that fall under the High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program. The agency expects to make approximately 10 awards, each with an annual award ceiling of $350,000 in direct costs, for an estimated total program funding of $5,700,000. Applications must be submitted by the estimated close date of September 10, 2027, and questions can be directed to the program office via email at EarlyIndependence@od.nih.gov.