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Only two applications per institution (identified by Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number or NIH IPF number) are allowed.

Program Description
Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps talented new researchers begin their own independent research program soon after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, without first doing postdoctoral training.The award accepts applications on any topic fitting the NIH mission. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. 

Requirements

• One PD/PI only: Applications can have only one PD/PI. Multiple PD/PIs are not allowed. Only the PD/PI may be listed as Senior/Key Personnel and submit a biosketch.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is not required. If the PD/PI is not a U.S. citizen, the institution must ensure the visa permit allows them to do the proposed research in the U.S. for the full project period.
• Degree or clinical training dates: The PD/PI must complete their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training between May 1, 2025, and September 30, 2027.
  • The date shown on the official transcript is considered the date the degree was completed.
  • Clinical training includes residency and fellowship.
  • At the time of award, either:
    • The PD/PI must have an eligible doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign institution, oR
    • An authorized official must confirm all degree requirements are complete and the degree will be awarded before September 30, 2027.
• Post-doctoral experience: The PD/PI must not have more than 12 months of postdoctoral training after an earlier, non-terminal doctoral degree. This applies only to individuals with multiple doctoral degrees.
• Effort required:
  • Years 1-2: At least 9.6 person-months per year (80% effort) on the award project
  • Years 3-5:  At least 9.6 person-months per year (80% effort) on independent research overall, including the award project and any other independent research led by the PD/PI.
• Non-independence required: At the time of application, the PD/PI must still be non-independent. All the following must apply:
  • Research direction requires mentor approval
  • Research is mainly supported through another investigator's funding (mentored fellowships, such as an NIH F31/F32 or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, do not make an applicant ineligible)
  • No institutionally assigned research space
  • Cannot apply for an NIH R01 without a special institutional waiver or exception

The PD/PI may become independent before the award starts and still remain eligible.

• Independent position required: The PD/PI must have a guaranteed, pending independent research position and be able to begin independent research by the project start date.
  • The position does not have to be permanent or tenure-track.
  • The position may depend on receiving this award.
  • The institution must provide substantial support, as described in the application.
  • Moving to a new institution may be advantageous but is not required.
• Career awards: ThePD/PI may apply for both a K award and DP5 simultaneously, but the projects must not overlap scientifically. A PD/PI cannot hold both simultaneously; if awarded the DP5, the K award must be relinquished.
• Site visit: NIH will conduct a site visit near the end of the first year to assess progress and confirm institutional support and independence. If support is insufficient, NIH may take corrective action, including reducing or terminating funding.

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Limiting Language 
No more than three candidates may be nominated from any one department per fellowship field.   

Program Overview
The Sloan Research Fellowship Program recognizes and rewards outstanding early-career faculty. The two-year $75,000 fellowships are awarded annually to early-career researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of leaders.

Additional information can be found on the Sloan Foundation's website.

Eligibility 

• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in chemistry, computer science, Earth system science, economics, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, or a related field.
• Candidates must be members of the faculty of a college, university, or other degree-granting institution in the U.S. or Canada.
• Candidates must be tenure-track, though untenured, as of September 15 of the nomination year.
• Candidate’s faculty position must carry a regular teaching obligation.

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Limiting Language
Limit of one application per institution for either the Collaborative or the Individual grant with the  endorsement of the Chief(s) of the Division(s) of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.  

Goals and Focus
The goal of these grants is to overcome barriers to the clinical application of new treatment approaches for childhood cancer. A priority is to fund projects that have already shown great promise, but that have a specific funding need to move forward. The three main focus areas for this RFP are: 

• Cancer immunotherapy or targeted therapy  
• High-grade brain tumors or other difficult-to-treat pediatric cancers  
• Epigenetic modifying therapy or gene therapy  

Applications of novel technologies (e.g. nanotechnology, omics, gene editing, bioinformatics, and AI) in these areas are welcome.