NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)
This grant supports early-career researchers with bold, innovative biomedical projects that could significantly impact areas relevant to NIH’s mission.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: August 19, 2026 (Estimated, forecasted)
Funding Amounts: $475,000 per year (direct costs), up to 5 years; estimated total program funding $23,000,000; ~30 awards
Summary: Supports early stage investigators proposing bold, innovative biomedical research with potential for major impact.
Key Information: Forecasted opportunity; specific dates and details may change.
Description
The NIH Director’s New Innovator Award is designed to support early stage investigators (ESIs) of exceptional creativity who propose bold, high-risk, and innovative research projects in the biomedical sciences. The program seeks projects with the potential for unusually high impact in areas relevant to the NIH mission. It is a key component of the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program and complements other NIH efforts to support promising early-career researchers.
