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National Institutes of Health · United States

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

Open

Applications close on 6 Feb 2029. Eligible applicant types include for profit organizations other than small businesses, private institutions of higher education, native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) and 12 more.

About this call

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.

Who can apply

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

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.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Health

How to apply

1. Read the full notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) linked from the official page: eligibility, cost sharing and evaluation criteria.
2. Make sure your organisation has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID (UEI); registration can take several weeks.
3. For NIH: the organisation and the principal investigator also need eRA Commons accounts; applications are usually submitted through Grants.gov (for example with ASSIST).
4. Prepare the required forms, narrative, budget and attachments exactly as the NOFO specifies.
5. Submit before the deadline and keep the tracking number. Check for amendments before you submit.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Where applicants must be based

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Where to apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

National Institutes of Health · NIGMS-ESIMIRA@nigms.nih.gov · 301-402-2541

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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