NIH Directors Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health, through its Office of Strategic Coordination (Common Fund), has announced a forecasted funding opportunity for the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award under opportunity number NOT-RM-25-011. This initiative is part of the NIH High-Risk, High-Reward Research program and utilizes the DP5 activity code, which allows for clinical trials but does not require them. The program is designed to support highly promising investigators who are ready to launch their independent research careers immediately following the completion of their terminal doctoral degree or postgraduate clinical training. The intent is to accelerate entry into independent research by allowing applicants to bypass the traditional postdoctoral training period. The Early Independence Award is intended for individuals with the maturity, skills, and vision necessary to pursue rigorous and impactful research early in their careers. The program welcomes applications across all scientific areas that fall within the broad mission of NIH. Applicants are not required to provide preliminary data, which underscores the program’s emphasis on innovative, high-risk proposals that demonstrate potential for significant impact on health research. Eligibility for this award is limited to single Principal Investigator (PD/PI) applications. Applicants must have completed their terminal doctoral degree or clinical training between May 1, 2024, and September 30, 2026. Additionally, applicants must be in a non-independent research position at the time of application, meaning they cannot hold tenure-track or equivalent independent faculty appointments. Each institution may submit no more than two applications, and applicants must secure a strong institutional commitment to ensure the support and resources needed to establish an independent research program. The program is expected to make approximately nine awards, with a total estimated funding pool of $5.1 million available for fiscal year 2026. While the specific award ceiling and floor are not defined in this notice, the NIH anticipates awarding multiple grants within the available budget. No cost sharing or matching requirement is mandated for this opportunity. The forecasted timeline for this opportunity indicates that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be posted on September 10, 2025. The estimated due date for applications will be October 10, 2025, with anticipated award notifications in September 2026. Projects will commence in the same month as the award. The opportunity is currently in a forecasted stage, meaning applications are not being solicited at this time, but prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparations. For additional information, prospective applicants may contact Becky Miller, Ph.D., in the Office of the Director at 301-594-9979 or via email at earlyindependence@od.nih.gov. This program represents a unique opportunity for emerging scientists to take bold steps in launching independent careers while contributing to the mission of NIH to advance knowledge and improve health.