The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering the Director's Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional), a federal grant aimed at supporting promising junior investigators who wish to pursue independent research immediately after completing their doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training. This initiative encourages applications from a diverse range of eligible institutions and backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to foster innovative research across various fields, including behavioral, biomedical, and social sciences. Grants of up to $250,000 per year are available for a maximum of five years, with applications due by September 6, 2024. For further details, interested applicants can contact NIH Grants Information at grantsinfo@nih.gov or visit the official announcement at NIH Grants.