Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: August 19, 2025 (anticipated NOFO release; application due date to be announced)
Funding Amounts: Typical award: $1.5M total costs over 5 years; actual amounts and duration to be specified in the NOFO.
Summary: Supports exceptionally creative early-stage investigators proposing bold, high-impact biomedical research; preliminary data not required.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; applications are not yet being accepted. Early-stage investigators should begin preparing now.
Description
The NIH Director's New Innovator Award is part of the NIH High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, designed to support early-stage investigators (ESIs) who propose innovative, high-impact research projects with the potential to transform broad areas relevant to the NIH mission. The program specifically seeks applicants who demonstrate exceptional creativity and propose bold, unconventional approaches to significant biomedical or behavioral research challenges. Unlike many NIH grants, preliminary data and detailed experimental plans are not required, allowing applicants to focus on the novelty and potential impact of their ideas.
This opportunity is forecasted; the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected to be published in August 2025. The program uses the DP2 activity code (Clinical Trial Optional), meaning both basic and clinical research proposals are eligible.
Due Dates
- Forecasted NOFO Release: August 19, 2025
- Application Due Date: To be announced in the forthcoming NOFO
- Note: This is a pre-announcement; applications are not being accepted yet. Researchers are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals in anticipation of the official release.
Funding Amount
- Typical Award: Up to $1.5 million in total costs over 5 years (subject to confirmation in the official NOFO)
- Award Duration: Up to 5 years
- Budget Details: No preliminary data required; budget should be appropriate for the scope of the proposed research. The NOFO will specify allowable costs and budget formats.
Eligibility
- Investigator Status: Early-stage investigators (ESIs) only. ESIs are defined as those who have completed their terminal research degree or clinical training within the past 10 years and have not previously competed successfully for a substantial NIH independent research award.
- Applicant Organizations:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
- County governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, Native American tribal governments and organizations, and others
- Citizenship: U.S. and non-U.S. institutions are eligible; see the NOFO for any additional restrictions.
- Clinical Trials: Both basic and clinical trial proposals are allowed (DP2, Clinical Trial Optional).
Application Process
- NOFO Release: The official Notice of Funding Opportunity will be published on the NIH Grants & Funding site.
- Application Preparation:
- No preliminary data or detailed experimental plans required.
- Emphasis on innovation, creativity, and potential for high impact.
- Use the SF424 (R&R) application package and follow NIH Forms Version H.
- Submission: Applications will be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or ASSIST.
- Review: Peer review will focus on the significance, innovation, and transformative potential of the proposed research, as well as the creativity and promise of the investigator.
Additional Information
- No Preliminary Data Required: Applicants are encouraged to propose bold, innovative ideas without the need for supporting data.
- Early Preparation Advised: Because the NOFO is not yet released, potential applicants should begin developing their research concepts and assembling their application teams.
- Key Resources:
External Links
Contact Information