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NIH Director's Early Independence Award

NIH Director's Early Independence Award

Funds rapid transition of recent PhD researchers into independent research within sixteen months.

Between cyclesNIH Common FundUnited States
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About

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award (EIA) is the most career-stage-restrictive of the four High-Risk, High-Reward (HRHR) Research Program awards offered by the NIH Common Fund. Established in 2011, the EIA is designed for exceptional junior scientists who are ready to bypass the traditional postdoctoral training step and move directly to an independent investigator position. Applicants mus…

What this grant funds

Funds exceptional junior scientists who forgo postdoctoral training to move directly to independent research positions in any biomedical or behavioral field, awarding $250,000 per year for five years.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.60 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$21.4M
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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: commonfund.nih.gov