Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 17 008
The NIH Director's Early Independence Awards (DP5) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is designed for a small number of unusually strong early-career scientists and clinician-scientists who are ready to launch fully independent research programs immediately after finishing a terminal doctoral or research degree, or after completing a clinical residency. The core idea is to let exceptional investigators skip the typical postdoctoral phase and move straight into an independent position, shortening the time it takes for them to become established, independent contributors in biomedical and health-related research.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-RM-17-008) falls under the Health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.310. The program anticipates making around 10 awards under this announcement, reflecting its highly selective, prestige-oriented nature. The listed award ceiling is $250,000, indicating the maximum funding amount expected per award under the terms of this specific opportunity announcement.
Eligibility is broad on the institutional side, meaning many kinds of organizations can apply on behalf of an eligible candidate. Eligible applicant organizations include multiple levels of government (state, county, city or township), 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, excluding higher education institutions when specified), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other entities as allowed under the additional eligibility guidance in the full announcement. In practice, these awards are typically anchored by an institution that will host the investigator and provide an environment where immediate independence is realistic, including appropriate space, resources, and mentorship structure that supports independence without reverting to a traditional postdoc arrangement.
The announcement was created on April 18, 2017, and the original closing date for applications was September 22, 2017. Overall, the DP5 mechanism is meant to identify and propel investigators with the maturity, originality, and preparedness to lead a research direction early, with NIH backing intended to help them establish a lab or independent research program sooner than the standard academic pipeline would normally allow.Apply for RFA RM 17 008
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Director's Early Independence Awards (DP5)" 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 Apr 18, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 22, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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NIH Director's Early Independence Awards (DP5) FAQs
What is the NIH Director's Early Independence Awards (DP5) program?
The NIH Director's Early Independence Awards (DP5) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is intended to support a small number of unusually strong early-career scientists and clinician-scientists who are ready to launch fully independent research programs immediately after completing a terminal doctoral or research degree, or after finishing a clinical residency.
What is the main purpose of the DP5 award?
The core purpose of the DP5 mechanism is to allow exceptional investigators to skip the typical postdoctoral phase and move directly into an independent position. The program is designed to shorten the time it takes for these investigators to become established, independent contributors in biomedical and health-related research.
Who runs and funds this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this opportunity is RFA-RM-17-008.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The announcement falls under the Health funding activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 93.310.
How many awards does NIH expect to make under this announcement?
The program anticipates making around 10 awards under this specific announcement, highlighting that it is highly selective and prestige-oriented.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling) listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $250,000, which indicates the maximum funding amount expected per award under the terms of this opportunity announcement.
Who is this award designed for?
This award is designed for unusually strong early-career scientists and clinician-scientists who have the maturity, originality, and preparedness to lead an independent research direction immediately after completing a terminal doctoral or research degree or a clinical residency.
Does this program specifically support investigators who want to skip a traditional postdoc?
Yes. A defining feature of the DP5 program is that it supports investigators who are ready to move straight into independence without completing the typical postdoctoral training period.
Do individuals apply directly, or do organizations apply on their behalf?
Based on the eligibility information provided, applicant organizations apply on behalf of an eligible candidate. The eligible institution serves as the host for the investigator.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad on the institutional side. Eligible applicant organizations include:
- 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, when specified)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education, when specified)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Other entities as allowed under additional eligibility guidance in the full announcement
What kind of institutional environment is expected for a DP5 awardee?
In practice, these awards are typically anchored by an institution that can host the investigator and make immediate independence realistic. The institution is expected to provide an environment that includes appropriate space and resources. The description also notes a mentorship structure that supports independence without turning the role back into a traditional postdoctoral arrangement.
What does "immediate independence" mean in the context of this award?
Within the description provided, immediate independence means the investigator begins leading a fully independent research program right after completing the terminal degree or clinical residency, rather than spending additional years in a conventional postdoctoral position.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The announcement was created on April 18, 2017.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date for applications was September 22, 2017.
Is this opportunity competitive?
Yes. The description indicates the program expects to make around 10 awards and characterizes it as highly selective and prestige-oriented.
What kinds of research areas does this program target?
The program is described as supporting biomedical and health-related research, consistent with its placement in the Health funding activity category.
What is NIH trying to achieve by offering the DP5 mechanism?
The DP5 mechanism is meant to identify and propel investigators with the maturity, originality, and preparedness to lead a research direction early. NIH backing is intended to help them establish a lab or independent research program sooner than the standard academic pipeline would normally allow.
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