Maximizing Investigators' Research Award

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA), offered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a flagship funding mechanism aimed at supporting innovative and impactful biomedical research. This initiative seeks to enhance funding stability and scientific flexibility for researchers, thus enabling more ambitious, high-impact studies in the realm of biomedical sciences. MIRA represents a strategic investment by NIGMS in advancing fundamental research by distributing support more broadly among talented investigators. The MIRA program offers a single grant award to cover a broad scope of research activities within an investigator’s laboratory, as long as the research aligns with the mission of NIGMS. This mission includes supporting basic research that increases understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The flexibility of MIRA funding allows investigators to pursue new directions as they emerge, rather than being constrained by narrowly defined project aims, thereby fostering innovation and enhancing the efficiency of funding utilization. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) targets both new and continuing applicants. Eligible applicants include NIGMS-funded investigators and NIH-defined New Investigators. Additionally, current MIRA grantees, including those who were previously funded as Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs), are eligible to apply for renewals. NIGMS has indicated that a separate NOFO will be issued in the future to specifically address the needs of ESIs through the MIRA framework. MIRA is available to a broad range of institutions and organizations, including state and local governments, higher education institutions (both public and private), independent school districts, tribal governments and organizations, housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit businesses including small businesses. This inclusive eligibility structure ensures diverse participation and promotes equity in access to federal research funding. The current opportunity is presented as a forecast, with an anticipated post date of November 3, 2025. The estimated application due date is January 27, 2026, and the projected award date is December 1, 2026. Projects are expected to commence on December 1, 2026. Although full application guidance is not yet released, applicants can prepare by ensuring alignment with NIGMS’s research mission and by staying alert to the formal publication of the opportunity later in 2025. For more information or clarification, applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Baishali Maskeri or Dr. Charles Ashley Barnes at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. They can be reached at 301-594-2752 or via email at NIGMS_EINIMIRA@NIGMS.NIH.GOV. As this is a forecasted opportunity, interested parties should monitor Grants.gov or the NIGMS website for updates, including the final funding announcement and detailed application instructions.