Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI)
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- PAR-27-032
- Agency
-
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
- Applications due
- Award size
- Not on record
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Health
- Eligible applicants
-
- City/Township Governments
- State Governments
- For Profit Organizations
- Independent School Districts
- Public or Indian Housing Auth.
- County Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Special District Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Other
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Small Businesses
- Points of contact
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) seeks applications from Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) for the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) program, with application due dates on February 6, 2029 and earlier cycles on October 2, 2026, February 3, 2027, October 4, 2027, February 3, 2028, and October 3, 2028. The maximum award is $275,000 in direct costs per year for up to five years, with no cost share required.
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, for-profit organizations, small businesses, state and local governments, city and township governments, county governments, tribal governments (federally recognized and non-federally recognized), special district governments, public or Indian housing authorities, and independent school districts. Foreign institutions and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components of U.S. organizations as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed.
MIRA-ESI supports fundamental, investigator-initiated research aligned with the NIGMS mission, including basic research, translational research, and mechanistic clinical trials, but excludes Phase I–III safety and efficacy clinical trials. Applicants must meet NIH-defined Early Stage Investigator criteria and devote at least 51% of total research effort to the award. The program does not allow resubmissions, subawards, or multiple PD/PIs.
Awards undergo initial review for completeness and responsiveness, followed by peer review evaluating significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and environment. The National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council provides secondary review. Funding decisions reflect scientific merit, available funds, NIGMS priorities, portfolio breadth, investigator stage, and total funding available to applicants. NIGMS prioritizes MIRA awards over R01 grants and is unlikely to fund more than one NIGMS R01 per investigator.
The program operates under CFDA 93.859 (Biomedical Research and Research Training).
Synopsis
The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) provides support for ESIs with a program of research that aligns with the NIGMS mission.MIRA distributes funding among promising investigators across the country. The goal is to boost scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs.Through this program, investigators can:Receive independent research funding early to start and sustain strong research careers.Explore new, unique research areas in the NIGMS mission.Take on ambitious, creative projects.Shift focus to include emerging techniques and technologies as needed.Devote more time to mentoring trainees in a stable research environment.
Eligibility
Refer to the Eligibility section in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign institutions: Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.These types of organizations are not eligible to apply: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions), Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00292757.pdf | ||
| PAR-27-032-Full-Announcement.pdf |
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