[National Institutes of Health (NIH)](https://www.nih.gov/)

January 27, 2026 (estimated)

Amounts vary; single grant award supporting fundamental research in line with NIGMS mission.

Provides multi-year support for investigator-initiated research to enhance scientific productivity, stability, and innovation within the mission of NIGMS.

This is a forecasted opportunity; details and dates are subject to change.

--- ## Description The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program, administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at NIH, aims to provide sustained support for research in investigators' laboratories that aligns with the NIGMS mission. The program is designed to increase funding stability and scientific flexibility, enabling researchers to pursue more ambitious and innovative studies. By consolidating funding into a single award, MIRA seeks to enhance scientific productivity and the potential for significant breakthroughs, while also distributing funding more broadly among talented investigators across the nation. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages applications from eligible NIGMS-funded investigators and NIH-defined New Investigators whose research is aligned with the NIGMS mission. Renewal applications from current MIRA grantees, including those previously funded as Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs), are also permitted. A separate NOFO for ESIs is anticipated in the future. --- ## Due Dates - Estimated Application Due Date: January 27, 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Award amounts vary and depend on the scope and needs of the proposed research. - Provides a single, multi-year grant supporting investigator-initiated research within the NIGMS mission. - No cost sharing or matching required. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State governments - County governments - Independent school districts - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) - Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) - Private institutions of higher education - For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) - Small businesses Applicants must propose research within the mission of NIGMS and meet NIH-defined investigator status criteria (see program page for details). --- ## Application Process - Review the [official grants.gov listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359862) for updates and application instructions. - Prepare a proposal describing research aligned with the NIGMS mission. - Submit applications electronically via the designated grants.gov portal by the posted deadline. - Renewal applications are accepted from current MIRA grantees. --- ## Additional Information - This is a forecasted opportunity; final details, including application instructions and funding amounts, may change. - A separate funding opportunity for Early-Stage Investigators is expected to be announced in the future. - For more on the NIGMS mission, see the [NIGMS overview](https://www.nigms.nih.gov/about-nigms/who-we-are/overview). --- ## External Links - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359862) - [NIGMS Mission Overview](https://www.nigms.nih.gov/about-nigms/who-we-are/overview) - [NIH Main Website](https://www.nih.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Baishali Maskeri, Ph.D. | [NIGMS_EINIMIRA@NIGMS.NIH.GOV](mailto:NIGMS_EINIMIRA@NIGMS.NIH.GOV) | 301-594-2752 | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) | | Charles Ashley Barnes, Ph.D. | [NIGMS_EINIMIRA@NIGMS.NIH.GOV](mailto:NIGMS_EINIMIRA@NIGMS.NIH.GOV) | 301-594-2752 | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) |

Maximizing Investigators Research Award

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