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NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

ID: RFA-RM-26-004 • Type: Forecasted
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Description

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award supports rigorous and promising investigators who wish to pursue independent research soon after completion of their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training, thereby forgoing the traditional post-doctoral training period and accelerating their entry into an independent research career. Applications in any area within the biomedical sciences are welcome. The NIH Director's Early Independence Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program of the NIH Common Fund.

Background
The NIH Director's Early Independence Award supports rigorous and promising investigators who wish to pursue independent research soon after completion of their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training. This initiative aims to accelerate the entry of these individuals into independent research careers, thereby forgoing the traditional post-doctoral training period. Applications are welcome in any area within the biomedical sciences, and this award is part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program of the NIH Common Fund.

Grant Details
The contractor shall provide 176 licenses for CaseWare Idea software, including maintenance and customer support. The scope includes purchasing licenses, software license keys, and documentation as specified. The contractor must deliver existing and potential new IDEA capabilities through updated software to IRS business units. Additional work includes providing software license maintenance/customer support for technical issues and security patch updates for IDEA software throughout the contract duration. Support coverage must be available Monday-Friday from 9AM to 5PM EST, including telephone and email support centers. Access to an online e-support center, patches, maintenance, major releases of software updates/upgrades, and compliance with Section 508 standards are also required. The contractor must provide all necessary software release patches/bug fixes at no additional charge beyond the standard annual maintenance fee. Documentation and copies of software must be provided upon IRS request.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is primarily focused on rigorous and promising investigators who have recently completed their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is one twelve (12) month period from February 21, 2026, to February 20, 2027.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant has not been explicitly stated; however, it involves providing 176 licenses for CaseWare Idea software along with maintenance and support services.
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Overview

Agency
National Institutes of Health (NIH) [HHS]
Category of Funding
Health
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Program (CFDA)
93.310 - Trans-NIH Research Support
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 12/11/25 the National Institutes of Health forecasted grant opportunity RFA-RM-26-004 for NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) with funding of $5.7 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 93.310 Trans-NIH Research Support. It is expected that 10 total grants will be made worth between $350,000 and $350,000.

Timing

Forecast Posted Date
Dec. 11, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EST
Est. Application Posting Date
July 4, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Est. Synopsis Response Date
Sept. 4, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT Forecasted
Last Updated
Dec. 11, 2025, 11:04 a.m. EST
Version
1

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
City or township governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Small businesses
County governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
State governments
Independent school districts
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Special district governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Additional Info
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government, including the NIH Intramural Program;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$350,000
Floor
$350,000
Estimated Program Funding
$5,700,000
Estimated Number of Grants
10

Contacts

Contact
NIH Director's Early Independence Award Program
Contact Email
earlyindependence@od.nih.gov

Documents

Posted documents for RFA-RM-26-004

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