health · HHS-NIH11

Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI)

National Institutes of Health · PAR-27-032

901 days left

Deadline

February 6, 2029

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA/R35) provides long-term, flexible funding to productive NIH-funded investigators — supporting their entire research program rather than individual projects. Rolling through 2029.

Who Should Apply

Established NIH-funded investigators (current R01 holders) wanting flexible program-level support.

Who Should NOT Apply

New investigators (separate mechanism), researchers without active NIH grants.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Must be established NIH investigator
•Rolling deadline
•Must demonstrate productive research program
•No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

MIRA replaces multiple R01s with one larger, more flexible award. NIH evaluates your PROGRAM, not a specific project. Show productivity across your research portfolio and explain how flexible funding enables more impactful science than project-specific grants.

Competitiveness: Moderate — rolling with good success rates for productive investigators. Must have existing NIH funding.

What This Grant Funds

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) provides support for ESIs with a program of research that aligns with the NIGMS mission.MIRA distributes funding among promising investigators across the country. The goal is to boost scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs.Through this program, investigators can:Receive independent research funding early to start and sustain strong research careers.Explore new, unique research areas in the NIGMS mission.Take on ambitious, creative projects.Shift focus to include emerging techniques and technologies as needed.Devote more time to mentoring trainees in a stable research environment.

Attachments

PDF

PDF for publication (This is version par-27-032-rev7 with standard file name convention for NIH NOFOs).

PAR-27-032-Full-Announcement.pdf

Who Can Apply

Refer to the Eligibility section in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign institutions: Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.These types of organizations are not eligible to apply: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions), Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations.

Eligible Applicant Types

City/Township GovernmentsState GovernmentsFor-Profit OrganizationsIndependent School DistrictsPublic And Indian Housing AuthoritiesCounty GovernmentsNonprofits without 501(c)(3)Special District GovernmentsFederally Recognized Tribal Governments501(c)(3) NonprofitsOther Tribal OrganizationsPrivate Colleges & UniversitiesOther (see NOFO for details)Public Colleges & UniversitiesSmall Businesses

Funding Details

Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: May 12, 2026

Application Deadline: February 6, 2029 (901 days remaining)

Agency Contact

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) NIGMS-ESIMIRA@nigms.nih.gov

NIGMS-ESIMIRA@nigms.nih.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov