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NIH Director's Awards (DP1, DP2) (High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director. These awards support highly innovative research from exceptionally creative scientists who propose pioneering approaches to major challenges in biomedical research. They are part of the NIH High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
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NIH Director's New Innovator Award | NIH Common Fund NIH Director's New Innovator Award NIH Director's New Innovator Award FY2026 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award informational video Part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, the NIH Director's New Innovator Award supports early career investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the NIH mission.
Part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program , the award supports early career investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the NIH mission.
Must have Early Stage Investigator status (completed doctoral degree or postgraduate clinical training within last 10 years and never received a substantial NIH independent research award) No preliminary data required Minimum of 25% research effort $475,000/year for 5 years See the Award Overview for more information. Applications due August 17, 2026.
Application & Award Guide Recent News & Announcements Harnessing Immune Cells to Deliver Brain Implants Without Surgery How Cellular Receptors Could Be Targeted to Treat Disease Nanoparticle Breakthrough Shows Potential for Treating Pre-Eclampsia Technological Improvements Propel Kidney Disease Research Forward This page last reviewed on
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Scientists with outstanding records of creativity pursuing new research directions and pioneering approaches to major challenges. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
NIH Director's Awards (DP1, DP2) (High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program) is funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
The NIH Director's New Innovator Award (DP2, RFA-RM-27-002) closes August 17, 2026, offering roughly 30 Early Stage Investigators up to $475,000 in direct costs a year for five years — $2.375 million total — to pursue bold ideas without the preliminary data a standard R01 demands. Here is how the High-Risk, High-Reward program actually evaluates applications, who qualifies, and why the usual R01 instincts will sink you.
Read articlePA-27-037 consolidates the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award into a single parent announcement across 20 NIH components, with the next deadline December 8, 2026. The eligibility gate is not the science — it is a mandatory change of institution and mentor between the F99 and K00 phases.
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