Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: October 10, 2025 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 direct costs/year for up to 5 years (max $1.5M direct costs total)
Summary: Supports exceptionally creative early-stage researchers proposing novel, high-impact biomedical research relevant to NIAID’s mission; clinical trials are not allowed.
Key Information: Applicants must be postdocs, non-independent, or newly independent ESIs; must transition to independence within 1 year if not already independent.
Description
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) New Innovator Award (DP2) is designed to support exceptionally creative postdoctoral researchers, non-independent investigators, or newly independent Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) who propose innovative, original, and insightful research concepts. The program aims to fund projects with the potential for major impact, paradigm testing, or advancement of key concepts in broad, important problems in biomedical research relevant to NIAID’s mission, including infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.
The award encourages applications that propose unexpected convergence of disciplines, new scientific directions, or the use of novel methodologies. Applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and in any topic relevant to NIAID are welcome. Clinical trials are not permitted under this funding opportunity.
Due Dates
- Letter of Intent (optional): 30 days prior to application due date
- Full Application Deadline: October 10, 2025 (by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization)
Funding Amount
- Direct Costs: Up to $300,000 per year (including travel for required program meetings)
- Project Period: Up to 5 years (maximum total direct costs: $1,500,000)
- Indirect Costs: As per institutional policy and NIH guidelines
- Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications
Eligibility
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Who Can Apply:
- Postdoctoral researchers and other candidates in non-independent positions
- Newly independent Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) within the first year of a faculty position or equivalent at a U.S.-based institution at the time of application
- Must have a research or clinical doctorate (PhD, MD, DO, DDS, DVM, ScD, DNS, PharmD, or equivalent)
- Both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens may apply, but award activation requires eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Must have NIH Early Stage Investigator (ESI) status
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Institutional Eligibility:
- U.S.-based higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, state/local governments, tribal organizations, and others
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply
- Foreign components (as defined by NIH) are allowed within U.S. applications
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Special Requirements:
- For postdoctoral/non-independent applicants: Must transition to an independent faculty position at a U.S.-based institution within one year of selection to activate the award
- Only one PD/PI per application (multiple PD/PI applications are not allowed)
- Must commit at least 25% research effort (three person-months per year) to the project
Application Process
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
- Required Registrations: Applicant organizations must be registered in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons.
- Application Components:
- SF424 (R&R) forms
- Biographical sketch (for PD/PI only)
- Research plan (emphasizing creativity, innovation, and potential for impact; detailed experimental plans are not required)
- Letters of support from current/prior mentors/supervisors (1–3 required)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
- Other standard NIH attachments as required
- Budget: Enter only the five-year total ($1,500,000) in the “Total Federal Funds Requested” field; detailed budget forms are not required at submission but will be requested if selected for funding.
- Review Criteria: Emphasis on creativity, originality, potential for major impact, and the applicant’s potential for independence and growth. Preliminary data are not required.
Additional Information
- Clinical Trials: Not allowed under this opportunity.
- Program Meetings: Awardees are required to attend two program meetings in Bethesda, MD, during the project period.
- FAQs and Guidance: See NIAID DP2 FAQs for detailed eligibility and application guidance.
- Recent Updates: The funding opportunity was updated March 31, 2025; applicants should review the full announcement for the latest requirements.
External Links
Contact Information