Applicants must meet the definition of an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) at the time of application submission. 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 their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training. See the Office of Extramural Research website for a complete list of NIH awards that do not disqualify a PD/PI as a new investigator and for frequently asked questions about the NIH ESI Policy.

An extension to the 10-year period may be granted under certain circumstances (e.g., childbirth, family care responsibilities, clinical loan repayment requirements, disability or illness, natural or other disaster, etc.). An online video tutorial is available for more information. It may take several weeks for the review process for the request, so applicants should plan accordingly. Note: If an applicant is not identified as an ESI in the eRA Commons, it may result in the application not being reviewed. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and/or updating their degree information in their eRA Commons account in a timely fashion.

Applicants must hold an independent research position at a domestic (U.S.) institution by September 1, 2023. For this FOA, an “independent research position” is a position that automatically confers eligibility to the investigator (based on institutional policy) to apply for R01 grants with appropriate institutional commitment of facilities for the conduct of the proposed research. Investigators still in training or mentored status (such as postdoctoral fellows) are not eligible to apply unless they have a written commitment from the institution stating they will be in an independent faculty position by September 1, 2023. The commitment is certified by the institution's submission of the application.

Applicants may submit or have an NIH R01 or other equivalent grant application pending concurrently with their NIH Director’s New Innovator Award application if it does not overlap substantially with their New Innovator Award application. However, if that pending grant becomes active prior to the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, the applicant is no longer eligible to receive the New Innovator Award.

Awardees are required to commit at least three person-months (25%) of their research effort each year to activities supported by the New Innovator Award.

For more details regarding eligibility requirements, see FAQs on the New Innovator website.

There is no limit to the number of applications an institution may submit. Individuals may submit only one application as PD/PI in response to this FOA.