National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services
NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Opens Mar 15, 2027 · due about Sep 10, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder ?
- Award size
- Up to $350K
- Total available
- $5.7M · about 10 awards
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Tribal government, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), Larger business, County government, City or town government, Small business, School district, Private college or university, State government, Tribal organization, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), Public college or university, and others named in the official notice
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Opening soon: the funder has announced this grant, but you can't apply yet. Use the time to get ready and check whether it fits.
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. Get-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Hamilton County (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 82
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/838c6c1e-d795-4c0c-b1c7-855a05a6d532 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/e652b7b5-d2d0-4d12-bb66-37f383e8d442
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About this grant
The NIH Director's Early Independence Award supports outstanding early-career investigators who are ready to pursue independent research soon after completing their doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training, without following the traditional postdoctoral path. The award is designed to accelerate the transition to an independent research career. Applications are welcome across all fields relevant to the NIH mission. The Early Independence Award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
Who can apply, from the official 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).
Writing the need statement? Hamilton County facts with citations.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
29 awards to Tennessee groups in 2 counties since 1996 · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $143.7M | 2016 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $51.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| 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 |
Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Audit Clearinghouse. 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. 53 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 | Yale Univ | $3.4M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2.6M | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | University of Wisconsin System | $2.2M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2M | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $1.9M spent that year | 2025 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | University of North Texas Health Science Center | $1.4M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | University of North Texas Hsc | $1.1M spent that year | 2025 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | University of Washington | $945K | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Yale University | $704K spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | University of Wisconsin System | $620K | 2023 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | Unthsc | $593K spent that year | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $582K | 2026 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).
About the federal program
Trans-NIH Research Support, also called “NIH-wide Research Support”
Program number 93.310 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Project grant, training
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.
Match
None required (federal program listing).