NIH Directors Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) seeks to support highly potential junior researchers who aim to commence their independent research right after they've attained their terminal doctoral degree or completed their post-graduate clinical training. This initiative aims to bypass the common post-doctoral training phase and fast-track the entrance into independent research careers.

The program strives to support the most capable investigators and studies by welcoming applications showcasing a broad spectrum of the research workforce. The NIH encourages submissions from a diverse range of individuals, notably those from underrepresented groups, as per NIH's Interest in Diversity Notice, as well as from eligible institutions across all geographical locations.

The award aims to stimulate groundbreaking and innovative research in alignment with NIH's vast mission. Therefore, they openly welcome applications pertaining to all subjects that are congruent with NIH's expansive mission, like subjects in behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, formal sciences, and any area that may involve basic, translational or clinical research.

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award forms a part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program of the NIH Common Fund.