Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA, R35 - Clinical Trial Optional) is a grant program providing financial support for research endeavors that align with the mission of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Its primary objective is to augment the efficiency and effectiveness of the NIGMS funding process. Few anticipated strategic outcomes of the MIRA program encompass:

1. Enhancement in stable funding for NIGMS-supported investigators which could boost their capacity to engage in more ambitious scientific projects and yield creative solutions.

2. Grants flexibility for investigators to pursue novel research directions that emerge within the NIGMS mission, rather than adhering strictly to pre-established aims.

3. Expansion in the distribution of funding amongst the nation’s highly talented and promising investigators to accelerate overall scientific productivity and increase the likelihood of significant breakthroughs.

4. Reduction in the time consumed by researchers in preparing and reviewing grant applications hence enabling them to allocate more time to actual research.

5. Provision of a more stable research environment, which enables investigators to dedicate more time to mentorship of trainees.

Applications for the MIRA program are accepted from eligible NIGMS-funded investigators, new investigators whose proposed research aligns with the mission of NIGMS, and all current MIRA grantees including established and previously funded early-stage investigators who wish to renew their grants. However, currently active Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) must apply through the ESI MIRA Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) rather than this FOA.