NIH Director's Pioneer Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)
Forecasted Federal grant Posted
- Opportunity number
- RFA-RM-28-001
- Agency
-
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
- Applications expected due
- Award size
- $700,000
Opportunity facts
- Expected posting
- Assistance listings
-
- 93.310 Trans-NIH Research Support
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Health
- Eligible applicants
-
- Public or Indian Housing Auth.
- Independent School Districts
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- State Governments
- County Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- City/Township Governments
- For Profit Organizations
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Small Businesses
- Special District Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Other
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Points of contact
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institutes of Health is soliciting applications for the Director's Pioneer Award (DP1), supporting exceptionally creative scientists pursuing bold, innovative research with the potential to transform important areas of science relevant to the NIH mission, with applications due in September–October 2026. The award carries no cost share requirement.
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), for-profit organizations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, small businesses, state and local governments, tribal governments (federally recognized and other), Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic entities. The Pioneer Award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program and funds research across all areas relevant to NIH. Proposed projects must explore new scientific directions that differ substantially from the investigator's current research and from existing work in the field. Applications are welcome in biomedical and behavioral research spanning basic molecular biology, preclinical animal models, clinical trials, training programs, and infrastructure development. The program funds through CFDA 93.310 (Trans-NIH Research Support) under the NIH Office of the Director. Awards are typically made for at least one year, with additional support up to four more years depending on scientific review group recommendation, advisory council approval, successful annual performance, and fund availability. Scientific merit review encompasses peer review criteria specific to the funding announcement, significance, approach, innovation, principal investigator competency, resource adequacy, proposed budget, and where applicable, measures for protecting against adverse effects on humans, animals, or the environment. Funding decisions are based on scientific merit and program relevance.
Forecast synopsis
The NIH Director's Pioneer Award supports exceptionally creative scientists pursuing bold, innovative research with the potential to transform important areas of science relevant to the NIH mission. Proposed projects must explore new scientific directions that differ substantially from the investigator's current research and from existing work in the field. Applications are welcome across all areas relevant to NIH. The Pioneer Award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
Eligibility
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity