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

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5) is a high‑risk, high‑reward grant that enables outstanding early‑career investigators to launch independent research immediately after their doctoral or clinical training, bypassing the traditional post‑doctoral route. Up to ten awards will be made, each with a ceiling of $350,000, supporting a range of biomedical and health‑related research projects, including optional clinical trial components. The program is open to a broad set of applicants, including universities, non‑profits, for‑profit firms, tribal governments, and foreign institutions. Applications are accepted through an online portal, with an estimated response deadline of September 10 2027 and award decisions expected by August 30 2028. Recipients will begin their projects around September 30 2028. • Funding: up to $350,000 per award (total estimated funding $5.7 M for 10 awards). • Eligibility: wide, covering U.S. and non‑U.S. entities, small businesses, higher‑education institutions, tribal governments, etc. • Scope: independent biomedical or health‑related research; optional clinical trial component (DP5). • Timeline: posting 09/03/2026 → application deadline 09/10/2027 → award 08/30/2028 → project start 09/30/2028. • No pre‑bid meeting or site visit required. • Contact via email only; no phone number listed.