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NIH Investigator-Focused Award (R35)

Investigator-Focused Award

Funds an established investigator's whole direction of research inside one NIH institute, instead of a single defined project.

ScheduledNational Institutes of HealthUnited States

Most NIH grants pay for one project with a defined endpoint. This one pays for a scientist's whole direction of travel instead.

What it funds is an investigator's program of research within the mission of a single NIH institute or center, at any career stage, including early-stage investigators. There is no pre-defined project with specific aims to write around — the case is for the person and th…

A single National Institutes of Health institute or center's standing award supporting an established investigator's whole program of research, at any career stage, rather than one pre-defined project with specific aims, so long as the work stays inside that institute's mission.

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.4 Oct 2027
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-28-037Source: www.grants.gov