NIH Director Launches Program for Innovative New Investigators
NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., has announced a special program to support new investigators who propose highly innovative research projects with the potential for exceptionally great impact on biomedical or behavioral science. The NIH Director's New Innovator Award offers grants of up to a total of $1.5 million in direct costs over 5 years.
The application period opens on April 25 and closes on May 22, 2007. NIH expects to make at least 14 awards in September 2007.
New investigators who have not yet obtained an NIH R01 or similar grant are eligible to apply. In addition, applicants must hold an independent research position at an institution in the United States and must have received their most recent doctoral degree (such as a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent) or completed their medical internship and residency in 1997 or later. NIH particularly encourages applications from women and members of groups that are underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research.
The proposed research may be in any scientific area relevant to the NIH mission. The project description in the grant application will be briefer than that required for R01s and will emphasize the significance of the research, what makes the approach exceptionally innovative, how the applicant will address challenges and risks, and the applicant's qualifications for the grant. The review criteria will emphasize the importance of the scientific problem, the potential impact of the project, the novelty and innovativeness of the approach, and evidence of the applicant's potential for innovative and creative research. Applicants are allowed, but not required, to present preliminary data relevant to the project. Letters of reference will not be accepted.
Detailed instructions are available online. For more information, see the NIH Director's New Innovator Award Web Site, send questions to newinnovator@nih.gov, or call 301-594-4469.
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