NIH Directors Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) NOT-RM-25-011

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is preparing to release a funding opportunity titled the NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional). This program is part of NIH’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research initiative, managed through the Office of Strategic Coordination within the NIH Office of the Director. It is designed to support promising early-career researchers who are prepared to begin independent research careers directly following the completion of their terminal doctoral degrees or clinical training. This grant enables these individuals to bypass the traditional postdoctoral phase, accelerating their path toward research independence. The purpose of this opportunity is to provide a platform for newly graduated doctoral-level scientists and clinicians to undertake high-impact research projects early in their careers. It encourages applications from individuals with the talent, drive, and vision to conduct innovative and transformative biomedical research. Notably, the program does not require preliminary data, removing a common barrier for early-stage applicants. This reflects the program’s commitment to fostering original research ideas rather than heavily data-supported proposals. Spending under this grant is expected to align with the broader mission of the NIH, which encompasses a wide range of health-related research. While specific spending rules are not delineated in the forecast, the inclusion of the DP5 Clinical Trial Optional activity code indicates that both clinical trial and non-clinical trial proposals are acceptable. The total anticipated program funding for the fiscal year 2026 is estimated at $5,100,000, with approximately nine awards expected. However, specific award ceilings or floors are not listed in the forecast and will likely be defined in the final Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Eligibility is fairly broad in terms of organization types, including higher education institutions (both public and private), nonprofit entities, for-profit organizations, small businesses, tribal governments, and various levels of government. However, individual eligibility is highly specific. Applicants must be a single Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI), must have completed their terminal doctoral degree or clinical training between May 1, 2024, and September 30, 2026, and must be in a non-independent research position at the time of application. Institutions are limited to submitting only two applications each, and a significant institutional commitment to the applicant’s independence is required. The grant is currently in the forecasted stage, with the estimated publication of the NOFO set for September 10, 2025. Applications will be due by October 10, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by September 1, 2026, with projects starting on the same date. There is no indication of rolling submission, but the opportunity is considered recurring. Based on the current date, the next anticipated application cycle would occur in October 2026. Potential applicants are advised to begin preparing proposals in advance, as this forecast is intended to allow for early engagement and project planning. Contact for this opportunity is Becky Miller, Ph.D., from the NIH Office of the Director, who can be reached at 301-594-9979 or via email at earlyindependence@od.nih.gov. This program offers a unique opportunity for early-career researchers to rapidly transition into independent scientific roles and contribute to advancing health research across the nation.