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

September 9, 2026 (Estimated)

$700,000 per year for up to 5 years; estimated total program funding $8.1 million; ~8 awards

Supports exceptionally creative scientists proposing bold, innovative biomedical research with potential for major impact.

Forecasted opportunity—dates and details subject to change; check program page for updates.

--- ## Description The NIH Director’s Pioneer Award is designed to support individual scientists of outstanding creativity who propose pioneering and highly innovative research projects in biomedical science. The award seeks bold, unconventional ideas that have the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the mission of the NIH. Projects must represent substantially different scientific directions from those currently pursued by the investigator or elsewhere. This program is part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program of the NIH Common Fund and welcomes applications from all areas within the biomedical sciences. --- ## Due Dates - Estimated Application Due Date: September 9, 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Award Ceiling: $700,000 per year (direct costs), up to 5 years - Award Floor: $700,000 per year - Estimated Total Program Funding: $8,100,000 - Expected Number of Awards: Approximately 8 Cost sharing or matching is not 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 (other than institutions of higher education) - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - State, county, city, and township governments - Special district governments - Independent school districts - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized and other than Federally recognized) - U.S. territories or possessions - Faith-based or community-based organizations - Regional organizations - Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) - Eligible agencies of the Federal Government (excluding NIH Intramural Research Program) --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted through [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360986). - Carefully review the forecast and program page for updated instructions and deadlines as this is a forecasted opportunity. - Contact the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program for specific application guidance and requirements. --- ## Additional Information - This is a forecasted opportunity; official details and requirements may change before the final announcement. - The program is highly competitive and seeks proposals that are both high-risk and high-reward. - Clinical trials are optional for this award. - Projects must represent new scientific directions for the investigator. --- ## External Links - [NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program (Grants.gov)](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360986) - [NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program Overview](https://commonfund.nih.gov/pioneer) - [High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) Program](http://commonfund.nih.gov/highrisk/) - [NIH Common Fund](http://commonfund.nih.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Description | |------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program | [PioneerAwards@mail.nih.gov](mailto:PioneerAwards@mail.nih.gov) | Please contact via e-mail. |

NIH Directors Pioneer Award Program (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)

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