# NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-rm-27-004-nih-directors-early-independence-award-dp5-clinical-trial/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360988

> National Institutes of Health offered grants of up to $350,000 (at least $350,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 10 awards worth $5.7 million in total. Applications closed on September 10, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | RFA-RM-27-004 |
| Agency | National Institutes of Health |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | September 10, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $350,000 |
| Award floor | $350,000 |
| Expected awards | 10 |
| Total funding | $5.7 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 93.310 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility. Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

## What the grant funds

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps talented new researchers begin their own independent research program soon after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, without first doing postdoctoral training. The award accepts applications on any topic fitting the NIH mission. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.

## Questions people ask

### Is RFA-RM-27-004 still open?

No. It closed on September 10, 2026. A newer notice is forecast: RFA-RM-28-004, expected deadline September 10, 2027.

### Who can apply for NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)?

National Institutes of Health accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)?

Closed September 10, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $350,000 each. About $5.7 million in total across about 10 awards.

### Who has won Trans-NIH Research Support grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Duke University, The Leland Stanford Junior University, University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education. The program made 4,433 awards worth $5.9 billion in that time.