NIH Directors New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The NIH Directors New Innovator Award Program supports early stage investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the mission of NIH. This program aims to support innovative and novel research across the vast NIH mission, encouraging applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. The award is part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program of the NIH Common Fund.

Grant Details
The NIH Director's New Innovator Award addresses two important goals: stimulating bold and highly innovative research and supporting promising Early Stage Investigators. Applications are welcome in all research areas broadly relevant to the mission of NIH, including behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences. The emphasis is on innovation and creativity; preliminary data are not required but may be included. Award recipients are given unusual flexibility to pivot research direction as they see fit to maximize research impact. The program complements ongoing efforts by NIH to fund early-stage investigators through R01 grants and other mechanisms.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public/state controlled and private), nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), local governments, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and others), independent school districts, public housing authorities, faith-based organizations, regional organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Applicants must meet the definition of an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) at the time of application submission.

Period of Performance
The project periods will be for five years.

Grant Value
NIH intends to commit approximately $23 million for approximately 30 awards in FY 2026. Awards will be for up to $475,000 in Direct Costs per year.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed at eligible institutions located within the United States.