- Estimated deadline
- Sep 10, 2027
- Expected posting
- Sep 3, 2026
- Award size
- $350K to $350K
- Total program funding
- $5.7M
- Expected awards
- 10
- Cost sharing
- Not required
- Funding type
- Grant
- Category
- Health
Check this solicitation free
Grantee reads the full announcement and lists every required section, page limit, deadline, scoring criterion and compliance item. Takes about two minutes, no account needed.
About this opportunity
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.
Who can apply
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Special district governments
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
- For-profit organizations
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Other (see eligibility)
- Private universities
- State governments
- Public and Indian housing authorities
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status
- Public and state universities
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).
Agency contact
NIH Director's Early Independence Award Program
Please contact via email.
- Reads the full solicitation and lays out every required section
- Drafts each section with you, in your words
- Checks the draft against every requirement before you submit
How to write it
All guidesMore from NIH
All NIH funding- Closes in 1 dayRFA-HG-27-011
GREGoRi Data Coordination and Outreach Center (U01, Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Deadline Oct 30, 2026(1d)Up to $1.3M
- Closes in 1 dayRFA-HG-27-013
GREGoRi Innovation Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline Oct 30, 2026(1d)Up to $500K
- Closes in 1 dayRFA-HG-27-012
GREGoRi Technology Integration Center (U01, Clinical Trials Optional)
Deadline Oct 30, 2026(1d)Up to $2.3M
- Closes in 1 dayPAR-27-045
HEAL Initiative: Whole Joint Health Program (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)
Deadline Oct 30, 2026(1d)
- Closes in 4 daysPAR-24-280
Clinical Observational (CO) Studies in Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic, and Skin Diseases (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Deadline Nov 2, 2026(4d)
- Closes in 4 daysPAR-24-279
Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R61 Clinical Trial Required)
Deadline Nov 2, 2026(4d)
Get new funding every Monday
New federal opportunities and upcoming deadlines for NIH and more, in one short email. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
Details from Grants.gov, last updated Sep 3, 2026. Deadlines and requirements can change: always confirm them in the official notice.