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Closed on Sep 9, 2026

NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · Opportunity number RFA-RM-27-001

Details summarized from the official notice as of Sep 10, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

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This opportunity is closed as of Sep 9, 2026. It is kept here for reference. See the related open opportunities below, or check the official listing in case the agency posts a new cycle.

Key facts

Opportunity numberRFA-RM-27-001
AgencyNational Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)93.310
PostedJun 29, 2026
DeadlineSep 9, 2026
Award ceiling$700,000
Award floor$700,000
Expected number of awards8
Estimated total program funding$8,000,000
Cost sharing or matching requiredNo
Funding typeGrant
CategoryHealth
Last updated hereSep 10, 2026

Summary from the notice

The NIH Director"s Pioneer Award supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative research projects with the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important areas relevant to the mission of NIH. To be considered pioneering, the proposed research must reflect substantially different scientific directions from those already being pursued in the investigator"s research program or elsewhere. Applications in all topics relevant to the broad mission of NIH are welcome. Research may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. The NIH Director"s Pioneer Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) program of the NIH Common Fund.

Who can apply

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • Special district governments
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • City or township governments
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses
  • Small businesses
  • Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
  • Public and Indian housing authorities
  • Public and state colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Other Native American tribal organizations
  • Private colleges and universities
  • County governments
  • Federally recognized tribal governments

Who should take a closer look

  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Tribal governments and organizations
  • Larger for-profit companies

Not listed as eligible

  • Individuals

Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.

Eligibility details from the notice

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

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