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NIH Director's Pioneer Award

NIH Director's Pioneer Award

Funds bold scientific ideas in new directions regardless of career stage within the research community.

Between cyclesNIH Common FundUnited States
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About

The NIH Director's Pioneer Award is one of four High-Risk, High-Reward (HRHR) Research Program awards administered by the NIH Common Fund. Established in 2004, it funds individual investigators at any career stage — from early investigators to established faculty — to pursue highly innovative biomedical or behavioral research with potential for broad transformative impact. The proposed work must r…

What this grant funds

Funds individual investigators at any career stage to pursue highly innovative, potentially transformative biomedical or behavioral research representing a new direction, awarding $700,000 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.$33.5M
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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: commonfund.nih.gov