Eligibility

• Applicants must meet the definition of an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) at the time of application. An ESI is a new investigator (defined as a PD/PI who has not competed successfully for a significant NIH independent research award) who is within 10 years of completing his/her terminal research degree or is within 10 years of completing medical residency (or the equivalent).Refer to this link for a complete list of NIH grants that do not disqualify a PD/PI as a new investigator and for frequently asked questions about the NIH Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Policy.
• Only single PD/PI applications are allowed.  Applications with multiple PD(s)/PI(s) will not be accepted.

Funding Priorities

• An NIGMS ESI MIRA is intended to provide support for research within the NIGMS mission in the laboratory of an early stage investigator (ESI).
• NIGMS supports research on basic biological processes as well as translational and clinical research in certain areas.
  • Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences (BBCB)
  • Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB)
  • Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry (PPBC)
  • Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB)
  • Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD)
• In addition to research designed to answer scientific questions and generate new ideas and hypotheses, the development of technology and computational approaches are supported.

Additional Information

• The PD/PI is required to devote at least 51% of his/her total research effort to this award. The time available for research should be expressed in person-months and should not include time expended toward teaching, administration not directly related to the PD's/PI's research, and/or clinical duties.
• It is anticipated that the MIRA review will be highly competitive; therefore, a PD/PI may submit an R01 application and a MIRA application in parallel. Should both applications be selected for funding, the PD/PI will be required to relinquish one of the awards.