NIH Directors Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA RM 20 021

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.

• 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.

Apply for RFA RM 20 021

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