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

September 4, 2026 (estimated)

$350,000 per award (annual direct cost cap); ~10 awards; total program funding estimated at $5.7M

Supports outstanding investigators to pursue independent research soon after their doctoral or clinical training, bypassing the traditional postdoctoral period.

This is a forecasted opportunity; application details and deadlines may change.

--- ## Description The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award enables exceptional junior investigators to launch independent research careers immediately following completion of their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training, without undertaking a traditional postdoctoral fellowship. The program welcomes proposals in any area of biomedical science and is part of the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research initiative, designed to support innovative, transformative research by promising early-career scientists. --- ## Due Dates - Estimated application due date: September 4, 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Each award provides up to $350,000 in direct costs per year. - Approximately 10 awards are expected. - Estimated total program funding is $5,700,000. - No cost sharing or matching required. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicant organizations include: - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), except institutions of higher education - State, county, city, township, and special district governments - Independent school districts - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments and organizations - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - Eligible agencies of the federal government, including the NIH Intramural Program - U.S. territories or possessions - Faith-based or community-based organizations - Regional organizations - Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) **Note:** The program is specifically intended for early career researchers wishing to transition rapidly to independence after graduate or clinical training. --- ## Application Process - This is a forecasted opportunity; the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application instructions will be released closer to the estimated post date (July 4, 2026). - Applications are expected to be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360988). - Monitor the [NIH Early Independence Award program page](https://commonfund.nih.gov/earlyindependence) for updates and finalized application materials. --- ## Additional Information - The award is part of the [High-Risk, High-Reward Research program](https://commonfund.nih.gov/highrisk) of the NIH Common Fund. - Applications from all biomedical science fields are welcome. - Designed to accelerate entry into independent research careers for highly promising junior investigators. --- ## External Links - [NIH Early Independence Award program page](https://commonfund.nih.gov/earlyindependence) - [NIH High-Risk, High-Reward Research program](https://commonfund.nih.gov/highrisk) - [Full grant forecast on Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360988) - [NIH Common Fund](https://commonfund.nih.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Notes | |----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------| | NIH Director’s Early Independence Award Program | [EarlyIndependence@od.nih.gov](mailto:EarlyIndependence@od.nih.gov) | 301-496-4000 | Contact via email preferred |

NIH Directors Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

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