RFA-RM-27-004: NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is forecast: NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-RM-28-004). Status: Expected deadline September 10, 2027. It is in our archive of National Institutes of Health notices from 2026.
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.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed June 26, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$350,000
- Award floor$350,000
- Total funding$5.7 million
- Expected awards10
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
About this NIH notice
- Activity codeDP5
- Clinical trialsOptional
Application due dates, page limits and budget limits are set in the notice. Read RFA-RM-27-004 in the NIH Guide.
Other notices with this title
| Notice | Posted | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFA-RM-28-004 | September 3, 2026 | Expected deadline September 10, 2027 | Forecast |
Key dates
| Posted | June 26, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 10, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | November 10, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 15 applicant types the notice lists
- 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.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Trans-NIH Research Support awards averaged $1.3 million; this notice allows up to $350,000 per award.
- Most of the program's money (72% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
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.
Who has won Trans-NIH Research Support grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Trans-NIH Research Support (93.310) awarded $5.9 billion across 4,433 grant awards, an average of $1.3 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | North Carolina | 66 | $219 million |
| The Leland Stanford Junior University | California | 104 | $176 million |
| University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | Pennsylvania | 82 | $154 million |
| The Johns Hopkins University | Maryland | 95 | $152 million |
| Yale Univ | Connecticut | 85 | $149 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, RFA-RM-28-004, which is forecast.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
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.
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