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NIH Investigator-Focused Award (R35)

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA)

Funds a single NIGMS investigator's whole research program with one grant, instead of juggling several project-specific awards.

OpenNational Institutes of HealthUnited States

Applying for grant after grant, one research aim at a time, eats the hours a scientist could spend doing the research. This award replaces that pattern with one grant covering an investigator's whole NIGMS-relevant program instead.

Five goals are named directly: steadier funding so investigators can take on ambitious projects; freedom to follow a new direction as the science moves, rather than st…

A single R35 grant replacing multiple NIGMS project grants for one investigator's research program, aimed at stabilizing funding, giving freedom to follow new directions without being bound to aims proposed in advance, spreading funding more widely, and cutting the administrative load of managing several awards — open to eligible NIGMS-funded investigators and to New Investigators, with renewal open to current MIRA holders.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.26 May 2028
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
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.—
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: PAR-26-121Source: www.grants.gov