National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services
Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Feb 6, 2029 · 853 days left
- Award size
- Not stated: see the official notice
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- City or town government, State government, Larger business, School district, County government, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Tribal government, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), Tribal organization, Private college or university, Public college or university, Small business, and others named in the official notice
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Hamilton County (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 115
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/9a4aeb2f-d0ac-403b-ac67-9d1fd24d9556 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/0be68dc8-7df2-42ba-944e-fe8a39e074c6
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
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About this grant
The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) provides support for ESIs with a program of research that aligns with the NIGMS mission.MIRA distributes funding among promising investigators across the country. The goal is to boost scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs.Through this program, investigators can:Receive independent research funding early to start and sustain strong research careers.Explore new, unique research areas in the NIGMS mission.Take on ambitious, creative projects.Shift focus to include emerging techniques and technologies as needed.Devote more time to mentoring trainees in a stable research environment.
Who can apply, from the official notice
Refer to the Eligibility section in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign institutions: Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.These types of organizations are not eligible to apply: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions), Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Jan16
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Jan30
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Feb3
Submit
Suggested: submit a few days early. Agency portals can slow down near deadlines. - Feb6
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Hamilton County facts with citations.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice PAR-27-032-Full-Announcement.pdf (54 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Award size and project length
Award amounts here are per year · p. 5
“N/A Maximum budget per year: $275,000 in direct costs Step 1:” Open page 5
Registrations you need first (3)
SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons · p. 3
“Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons registrations now.” Open page 3
Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 3
“This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).” Open page 3
Login.gov · p. 3
“Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.” Open page 3
Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
What to submit
Letters of support or commitment · p. 9
“For example, we will not accept an application missing the required Institutional Commitment Letter of Support from the chair or dean.” Open page 9
Form SF-424 · p. 21
“Form Required for SF424 (R&R) All applications.” Open page 21
Project abstract or summary · p. 22
“Project summary/abstract Use the abstract to provide an overview of research in your laboratory relevant to the MIRA, the goals for the next five years, and an overall vision of the research program.” Open page 22
Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 23
“Biographical sketch Only provide a Biographical Sketch for the PD/PI.” Open page 23
Budget narrative / justification · p. 47
“All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings.” Open page 47
Audit or financial statements · p. 50
“Financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.” Open page 50
Dates in the notice
October 2, 2026 · p. 1
“Notice of Funding Opportunity Application due October 2, 2026, February 3, 2027, October 4, 2027, February 3, 2028, October 3, 2028, February 6, 2029 National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Maximizing Investigators Research Award (MIRA) for…” Open page 1
February 7, 2029 · p. 6
“February 7, 2029 Application due date Scientific merit review Advisory council review Earliest start date October 2, 2026 March 2027 May 2027 July 2027 February 3, 2027 July 2027 October 2027 December 2027 October 4, 2027 March 2028 May 2028 July 2028…” Open page 6
January 25, 2026 · p. 22
“NIHs Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026.” Open page 22
Mistakes that get applications rejected (1)
Could get your application rejected: Disqualifying awards If you receive an award that removes your ESI status before we fund a MIRA for ESIs,... · p. 13
“Disqualifying awards If you receive an award that removes your ESI status before we fund a MIRA for ESIs, you will no longer be eligible to receive a MIRA for ESIs.” Open page 13
Who in Tennessee has won this program
31 awards to Tennessee groups in 3 counties since 1977 · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | $30.6M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $23M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $17.7M | 1977 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $17.3M | 2011 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | $16.4M | 1999 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $8.9M | 1985 |
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | $8.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $6.8M | 2017 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | $6.6M spent that year | 2025 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $6.4M | 2006 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.4M | 2019 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.4M | 1978 |
Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse, USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another organization
This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. 84 pass-through grants on file · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | East Tennessee State University | $998K | 2026 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $507K | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Seattle Children's Hospital | $304K | 2025 |
| Fisk University | Nashville, Davidson County | Fisk - Vanderbilt Biomedical Bridge (1) | $272K spent that year | 2023 |
| Belmont University | Nashville, Davidson County | President and Fellows of Harvard College | $270K | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | East Tennessee State University | $262K spent that year | 2025 |
| Fisk University | Nashville, Davidson County | University of Illinois | $257K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center | $244K | 2026 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai | $243K spent that year | 2025 |
| Fisk University | Nashville, Davidson County | University of Illinois | $210K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia | $207K | 2024 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Weill Medical College of Cornell University | $204K spent that year | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).
About the federal program
Biomedical Research and Research Training
Program number 93.859 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Project grant
How applications are judged
All accepted applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate initial review group and by a national advisory council.
The goal of NIGMS funding policies is to maximize the scientific impact of investments in investigator-initiated biomedical research to drive fundamental scientific discoveries that advance understanding of human health and disease. To address this goal, the Institute strives to support a broad portfolio of research grants of high scientific and technical merit, as determined by peer review, in its mission areas.
However, in deciding to fund any application, NIGMS staff also considers other factors, including (consistent with applicable law):
the breadth of the Institute�s research portfolio; approaches, and investigators;
the total amount of funding available to the investigator;
the priority of the research area for the Institute�s mission;
Early-stage investigator status;
At-risk investigator status?;?
and whether the PI would have more than one NIGMS funded R01 (including multi-PI R01s).
Because these factors are considered, NIGMS does not have a �payline� or strict cutoff in scores that it will fund.
It is important to understand that even applications with outstanding scores might not be funded if the investigator already has substantial other support.
Because NIGMS prioritizes funding for meritorious investigators who otherwise would not have support over providing additional grants to already well-funded...
Match
None required (federal program listing).