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Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)

Federal funding opportunity PAR-26-121 from National Institutes of Health (Department of Health and Human Services).

Apply on Grants.gov →Application closes May 26, 2028

Posted: December 11, 2025
Closes: May 26, 2028
Cost sharing: No
Instrument: Grant
Assistance listing: 93.859
Category: Health
Archives: July 25, 2028

Program funding history

Awards made under Assistance Listing 93.859 across FY2024–FY2026, from public federal spending records.

FY2024 obligated: $3B
FY2025 obligated: $3B
FY2026 (to date) obligated: $2.4B
Awards in window: 12,321

Top recipients: The Leland Stanford Junior University, Regents of the University of Michigan, Yale Univ, The Johns Hopkins University, University of Wisconsin System

Source: USAspending.gov · refreshed August 2026

Synopsis

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) provides support for individual investigators for research within the scientific mission of NIGMS via a single grant to achieve the following:Increase the stability of funding for NIGMS-supported investigators, which could enhance their ability to take on ambitious scientific projects and approach problems more creatively;Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions within the NIGMS mission as opportunities arise, rather than being bound to specific aims proposed in advance of the studies;More widely distribute funding among the nation's highly talented and promising investigators to increase overall scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs;Reduce the time spent by researchers writing and reviewing grant applications, allowing them to spend more time conducting research;Reduce the administrative burden associated with a PD/PI managing multiple NIGMS research grants; andEnable PD(s)/PI(s) to devote more time and energy to mentoring junior scientists in a more stable research environment.This NOFO invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded investigators and from New Investigators proposing research that is aligned with NIGMS' scientific mission. The NOFO also allows renewal applications from all current MIRA grantees (including those previously funded as Early-Stage Investigators). Current Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) should apply through the ESI MIRA NOFO, not this NOFO.

Who can apply

Special district governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Small businesses
Private institutions of higher education
State governments
City or township governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
County governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/Foreign CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. This new requirement was effective, May 1, 2025.Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.

How to apply

Applications go through the official government listing. Grants Radar links you straight to the source — applying is free.

View on Grants.gov

Agency contact: National Institutes of Health · [email protected] · 301-402-2541

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