Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 20 021
The NIH Directors Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5, clinical trial optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed to help unusually strong early career researchers launch independent research programs almost immediately after finishing their terminal doctoral or research degree, or after completing post-graduate clinical training. The central idea is to let standout investigators bypass the traditional postdoctoral stage and move straight into running their own research, with the goal of speeding up the transition to scientific independence and enabling bold, potentially high-impact work earlier in a career. This program sits within the NIH Common Fund High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, which signals an emphasis on ambitious projects and investigators with exceptional promise.
The scope of research topics is intentionally broad and aligned with the full NIH mission. Applications can address behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences, and may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. The FOA is labeled "clinical trial optional," meaning projects may include a clinical trial when appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. This flexibility is meant to accommodate many different scientific paths while still prioritizing strong, independent research trajectories.
A major theme of the announcement is workforce diversity and broad institutional participation. NIH explicitly encourages applications that reflect the full diversity of the research community, including applicants from diverse backgrounds and from eligible institutions across all geographic locations. The announcement also calls out encouragement for a wide range of institution types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis is meant to widen access to early independence pathways and ensure that talented investigators are supported regardless of where they are based.
Eligibility, as summarized in the source data, spans many applicant organization categories. These include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. While the list is broad, there are important limits related to foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means certain project elements may be conducted internationally under NIH rules even though the applicant organization must be eligible and primarily U.S.-based.
Administratively, this opportunity is offered by NIH as a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category, tied to CFDA number 93.310. The funding opportunity number is RFA-RM-20-021. The original closing date listed is September 4, 2020, and the opportunity was created on May 21, 2020. The provided source excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would normally need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period details, and any institute-specific guidance.
In practical terms, this FOA targets people who are ready to demonstrate research independence earlier than the standard academic track typically allows, and it pairs that goal with NIHs interest in recruiting and retaining a diverse pool of future scientific leaders. The program invites high-caliber proposals across virtually any NIH-relevant area, with the expectation that the investigator and environment will support a rapid, credible move into independence and a strong likelihood of producing influential research outcomes.Apply for RFA RM 20 021
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Directors Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-05-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: 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.
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FAQs: NIH Director's Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5, Clinical Trial Optional)
What is the NIH Director's Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5) opportunity?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity intended to help unusually strong early career researchers launch independent research programs almost immediately after completing a terminal doctoral or research degree, or after completing post-graduate clinical training. The program is designed to accelerate the transition to scientific independence by allowing standout investigators to bypass the traditional postdoctoral stage.
What is the main goal of the DP5 Early Independence approach?
The central goal is to speed up the move to independence and enable bold, potentially high-impact research earlier in a scientist's career by supporting investigators who are ready to lead independent work right away.
How does this program relate to NIH's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program?
This award sits within the NIH Common Fund High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, signaling an emphasis on ambitious projects and investigators with exceptional promise.
What research areas and topics are eligible under this funding opportunity?
The scope is intentionally broad and aligned with the full NIH mission. Applications may address behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences. Projects may involve basic, translational, or clinical research.
What does "clinical trial optional" mean for this FOA?
"Clinical trial optional" means the proposed project may include a clinical trial when appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. This structure is meant to support many scientific directions while keeping the focus on strong, independent research trajectories.
Who is this opportunity designed to support?
It targets early career researchers who are prepared to demonstrate research independence nearly immediately after finishing a terminal degree (doctoral or research degree) or after completing post-graduate clinical training, and who are positioned to run their own research program earlier than the standard academic path typically allows.
Does this program require applicants to complete a postdoctoral stage first?
No. A key premise of this award is to allow exceptional investigators to bypass the traditional postdoctoral period and move directly into independent research leadership.
Is NIH encouraging diversity and broad institutional participation in this program?
Yes. NIH explicitly encourages applications that reflect the full diversity of the research community, including applicants from diverse backgrounds and from eligible institutions across all geographic locations.
What types of institutions are specifically encouraged to participate?
The announcement highlights encouragement for a wide range of institution types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; and U.S. territories or possessions.
What organization types are eligible to apply (as summarized in the provided information)?
The summarized eligibility includes many categories of applicant organizations, such as:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other eligible entities
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply based on the provided information.
Can a U.S. organization apply if it plans to run part of the project outside the United States?
There are limits. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning certain project elements may be conducted internationally under NIH rules while the applicant organization must still be eligible and primarily U.S.-based.
What funding activity category is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the health funding activity category.
What type of award is this?
It is offered by NIH as a discretionary grant.
What is the CFDA number for this grant opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 93.310.
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-RM-20-021.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 21, 2020.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is September 4, 2020.
Does the provided information include the award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
Where would an applicant normally look for budget limits, project period details, and any institute-specific guidance?
Based on the provided information, applicants would normally need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period details, and any institute-specific guidance.
How broad is the NIH mission alignment for proposed projects under this FOA?
The FOA is described as broadly aligned with the full NIH mission and is open to behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences across basic, translational, and clinical research.
What kind of investigator and research environment does this program aim to support?
The program is aimed at investigators and environments that can support a rapid, credible move into independence, with a strong likelihood of producing influential research outcomes.
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