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

August 19, 2026 (Estimated, forecasted)

$475,000 per year (direct costs), up to 5 years; estimated total program funding $23,000,000; ~30 awards

Supports early stage investigators proposing bold, innovative biomedical research with potential for major impact.

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. --- ## Due Dates - Estimated Application Due Date: August 19, 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Award Ceiling: $475,000 per year (direct costs) - Award Floor: $475,000 per year (direct costs) - Project Duration: Up to 5 years - Estimated Total Program Funding: $23,000,000 - Expected Number of Awards: Approximately 30 No cost sharing or matching is required. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - State, county, city, or township governments - Special district governments - Independent school districts - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other) - U.S. Territories or possessions - Faith-based or community-based organizations - Regional organizations - Eligible agencies of the Federal Government (excluding NIH Intramural Research Program) - Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) - Others as specified in the [official listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360987) --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360987). - The opportunity is currently forecasted; the official application package and instructions will be available closer to the estimated post date (June 19, 2026). - Review all eligibility and program requirements on the NIH Common Fund [New Innovator Award page](https://commonfund.nih.gov/newinnovator) before applying. --- ## Additional Information - The program is open to early stage investigators only; applicants must meet NIH’s ESI definition at the time of application. - Projects may address any area of biomedical science relevant to NIH’s mission. - Both basic and clinical research proposals are welcome, including those involving clinical trials (optional). - This is a highly competitive, high-risk, high-reward funding mechanism. --- ## External Links - [NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program (official listing on Grants.gov)](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360987) - [NIH Common Fund: New Innovator Award Program](https://commonfund.nih.gov/newinnovator) - [High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program](https://commonfund.nih.gov/highrisk/) - [NIH Main Website](https://www.nih.gov) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |---|---| | Program Email | [NewInnovatorAwards@mail.nih.gov](mailto:NewInnovatorAwards@mail.nih.gov) | | General NIH Contact | [NIH Contact Page](https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/contact-nih) | | Phone | 301-496-4000 |

NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)

Sign in to see full grant listing