Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NIH supports eligible NIGMS-funded and new investigators through a single, flexible research grant aligned with NIGMS' mission, with renewals open to current MIRA grantees.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: January 27, 2027 (Applications) | May 27, 2027 (Applications) | January 27, 2028 (Applications) | May 26, 2028 (Applications)
Funding Amounts: Up to $750,000 in annual direct costs for existing NIGMS-funded investigators; typically $275,000 for New Investigators; up to five years
Summary: MIRA supports an individual investigator’s NIGMS-aligned laboratory research program through a single, flexible R35 grant.
Key Information: The PD/PI must devote at least 45% of total research effort to MIRA; current Early-Stage Investigators must use the ESI MIRA opportunity.
Description
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of NIH, administers MIRA to support an investigator’s entire NIGMS-mission-aligned laboratory research program rather than individual projects with fixed specific aims. The program seeks to stabilize funding, enable ambitious research and changing directions, broaden the distribution of support, reduce grant-writing and administrative burdens, and strengthen mentoring.
Supported work includes basic biological research, technology development, computational approaches, and translational or clinical research within NIGMS’ mission. Clinical areas include anesthesiology, perioperative pain, clinical pharmacology, sepsis, injury and critical illness, wound healing, innate immunity, and inflammation. This opportunity accepts eligible NIGMS-funded investigators, New Investigators, and renewals from current MIRA recipients, including former ESI MIRA awardees. Research outside the NIGMS mission will be withdrawn before peer review.
