NIH Directors New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Department of Health and Human Services, is preparing to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program. This opportunity is part of the NIH's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, managed through the Office of Strategic Coordination (Common Fund). It is designed to support early-stage investigators who demonstrate exceptional creativity and propose bold and innovative research that can significantly impact important health-related areas consistent with the NIH mission. The New Innovator Award targets early-career researchers proposing high-risk, high-impact projects. The application process intentionally does not require preliminary data or detailed experimental plans, reflecting the program’s aim to support untested but potentially transformative ideas. Applicants must meet the NIH definition of Early Stage Investigator and only single Principal Investigator (PD/PI) applications will be allowed. This grant opportunity is discretionary and uses the DP2 activity code, with clinical trials being optional. It anticipates issuing approximately 30 awards with total available funding estimated at $37,700,000. While specific award ceilings and floors are not provided, the funding is part of the Trans-NIH Research Support initiative (Assistance Listing 93.310), and no cost sharing or matching funds are required. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education (both public and private), Native American tribal organizations, small businesses, and various government entities, including county governments, public housing authorities, and independent school districts. Additionally, eligible federal government agencies and regional organizations within U.S. territories or possessions may apply. The estimated posting date for this opportunity is June 19, 2025, with the application deadline set for August 19, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced on September 21, 2026, and projects would commence on September 28, 2026. Potential applicants are advised that this is a forecasted notice and not yet open for applications. For more details or inquiries, contact Patricia Labosky, Ph.D., at 301-594-4863 or via email at NewInnovatorAwards@mail.nih.gov.