National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services
NIH Director's Pioneer Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Expected around Sep 9, 2027 (not yet confirmed)
- Award size
- Up to $700K
- Total available
- $8.2M · about 7 awards
- Cost share / match ?
- Not required
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility), School district, Public college or university, State government, County government, Private college or university, City or town government, Larger business, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), Small business, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Tribal organization, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), Tribal government
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 23
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
More from National Institutes of Health
- Systematic Characterization of Genomic Variation to Assess Effects of Individual Variants on Genome Function and Phenotype (UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) · Forecast — the expected date (Jul 15, 2025) has passed; watch for the official notice
- IGVF Data and Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical trials Not Allowed) · Forecast — the expected date (Jul 15, 2025) has passed; watch for the official notice
- Forecast to Renew the Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Multiple Chronic Disease Research Centers · Forecast — the expected date (Jul 25, 2025) has passed; watch for the official notice
- Genomic Variant Interactions With Other Variants Or The Environment (UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) · Forecast — the expected date (Aug 22, 2025) has passed; watch for the official notice
- Forecast to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Consortium on the Neurobiology of Adolescent Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) Administrative Resource (Collaborative U24 - Clinical Trials not allowed) · Forecast — the expected date (Sep 30, 2025) has passed; watch for the official notice
- Forecast to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Consortium on the Neurobiology of Adolescent Drinking in Adulthood (NADIA) Research Resource (Collaborative U24 - Clinical Trials not allowed) · Forecast — the expected date (Sep 30, 2025) has passed; watch for the official notice
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/cd1b1428-b2f0-445c-a54f-abeb4a9e9fbd · Printed from grantme.click/grants/86a273c2-9432-4386-b3df-9eacd0665a0d
Read the official notice View on Grants.gov Add dates to my calendar Sign in to save
About this grant
The NIH Director's Pioneer Award supports exceptionally creative scientists pursuing bold, innovative research with the potential to transform important areas of science relevant to the NIH mission. Proposed projects must explore new scientific directions that differ substantially from the investigator's current research and from existing work in the field. Applications are welcome across all areas relevant to NIH. The Pioneer Award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
Eligibility (from the notice)
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).
Who in Tennessee has won this program
23 awards to Tennessee recipients in 2 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $143.7M | 2016 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | $45.7M | |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $32.8M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $27.5M | 1997 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $22M | 2016 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $19.6M | 2011 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $12.6M | 2016 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $9.3M | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $8.5M | 2022 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $8M | 2025 |
| University Of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | $7.7M | 2020 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $7.4M | 2002 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (93.310)
Trans-NIH Research Support — NIH-wide Research Support
How applications are judged
Funding decisions are based on scientific merit (42 CFR 52h) and program relevance. Scientific merit review encompasses: the peer review criteria detailed in the specific funding announcement, as well as the significance, approach, and innovation of the proposed research; the competency of the principal investigator; the adequacy of the resources and environment; the proposed budget and requested period of support; and, where applicable, the adequacy of the measures for protecting against adverse effects upon humans, animals, or the environment.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.