NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Funder
- National Institutes of Health
- Award amount
- Up to $350,000
- Deadline
- September 10, 2027
- Eligible countries
- United States
Summary
Forecasted opportunity (not yet open for applications; expected to be posted around 2027-03-15; estimated application due date 2027-09-10). The NIH Director's Early Independence Award supports outstanding early-career investigators who are ready to pursue independent research soon after completing their doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training, without following the traditional postdoctoral path. The award is designed to accelerate the transition to an independent research career. Applications are welcome across all fields relevant to the NIH mission. The Early Independence Award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
Summary as listed on Grants.gov (opportunity 363800). Always read the full announcement for eligibility, limits and how to apply.
Read the full announcement on Grants.gov →What National Institutes of Health reviewers look for
- Importance of the research (significance and innovation), scored 1–9.
- Rigor and feasibility of the approach, scored 1–9. Preliminary data and alternative strategies carry much of this.
- Expertise and resources, rated sufficient or not, without a score.
- Overall impact: the likelihood the project will have a sustained, powerful influence on its field.
Read our guide: what funded applications do →
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