NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

Eligible applicants

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Public and Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
• Private institutions of higher education
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses
• Others (see eligibility details)

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

About this forecast

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award supports outstanding early-career investigators who are ready to pursue independent research soon after completing their doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training, without following the traditional postdoctoral path. The award is designed to accelerate the transition to an independent research career. Applications are welcome across all fields relevant to the NIH mission. The Early Independence Award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.

Instrument

Grant

Activity

Health

Assistance listings

93.310

Cost sharing

Not required

Last updated

Sep 3, 2026

From Grants.gov's public daily extract of Oct 25, 2026. Agency contacts, full eligibility and application packages are on Grants.gov; always confirm deadlines there before applying.

More open grants from Department of Health and Human Services · All open federal grants