The NIH Director's Early Independence Award supports outstanding early-career investigators who are ready to pursue independent research immediately after completing doctoral or clinical training, bypassing the traditional postdoctoral path. It funds research across all fields relevant to the NIH mission and aims to accelerate the transition to an independent research career as part of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
Eligible applicants include early-career investigators who have recently completed doctoral or post-graduate clinical training and are ready to start independent research without traditional postdoctoral experience.
