June 1, 2021

VUMC Limited Submission Opportunity: NIH Director's Early Independence Awards; deadline is June 7

These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

 

VUMC may submit two applications to the NIH Director's Early Independence Award.

 

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) supports exceptional investigators who wish to pursue independent research essentially after completion of their terminal doctoral/research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, thereby forgoing the traditional post-doctoral training period and accelerating their entry into an independent research career. For the program to support the best possible researchers and research, applications are sought which reflect the full diversity of the research workforce.

Though most newly graduated doctoral-level researchers would benefit from post-doctoral training, a small number of outstanding junior investigators are capable of launching directly into an independent research career. The Early Independence Award is intended for these select junior investigators who have already established a record of scientific innovation and research productivity and have demonstrated unusual scientific vision and maturity; typical post-doctoral training would unnecessarily delay their entry into independent research. The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award also provides an opportunity for institutions to invigorate their research programs by bringing in fresh scientific perspectives of the awardees they host.

By the end of the award period, the Early Independence Award investigator is expected to be competitive for continued funding of his/her research program through other NIH funding activities and for a permanent research-oriented position.

Eligibility:

  • Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and from the full spectrum of eligible institutions in all geographic locations, are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Applications in all topics relevant to the broad mission of NIH are welcome, including, but not limited to, topics in the behavioral, social, biomedical, applied, and formal sciences and topics that may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. The NIH Director's Early Independence Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program of the NIH Common Fund.
  • Time window for eligibility: The receipt date of the terminal doctoral degree or end of post-graduate clinical training of the PD/PI must be between June 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2022. The degree receipt date is that which appears on the official transcript for the degree. The end of post-graduate clinical training includes residency and fellowship periods.
  • At the time of application, the PD/PI must not have served as a post-doctoral fellow for more than twelve months before June 1, 2020. To be consistent with the updated NIH definition of Early Stage Investigators, eligible clinical training includes clinical residency and clinical fellowship.
  • Research independence at time of application: Individuals are eligible only if they, at the time of application submission, do not have research independence. Eligible individuals must have all the following characteristics:
    • The PD/PI's current research agenda is set through concurrence with mentors;
    • The PD/PI's research is funded primarily through support to other investigators (mentored fellowships such as NIH F31 or F32 Fellowships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowships do not preclude eligibility);
    • The PD/PI does not have any space assigned directly by the institution for the conduct of his/her research;
    • The PD/PI, according to institutional policy, cannot apply for an NIH R01 grant without special waiver or exemption from the institution.
  • There is no U.S. citizenship requirement for PDs/PIs.

Level of effort: Individuals must commit at least 9.6 person-months each year (i.e., 80% effort of a 12-month appointment) to the Early Independence Award project in years 1-2 of the project period. In years 3-5, awardees may reduce effort towards the Early Independence Award project but must commit at least 9.6 person-months each year (i.e., 80% effort of a 12-month appointment) to independent research in general.

Budget Info: Awards will be for up to $250,000 direct costs per year for a period of 5 years, plus applicable Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs.

See the RFA for more information

Internal Application Process:

Eligible faculty interested in being one of VUMC’s nominees must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu  by 5 p.m. on June 7: 

  1. Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget
    1. Include three sections with the following headings to mirror the specific aims format: "Research Objectives," "Institutional Support," and "Early Independence Rationale"
  2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
    1. Must address requirements for Institutional Resources & Career Development Commitment, specifically: allocated laboratory space, institutional financial commitment to investigator, and plans for mentoring and assuring scientific independence
  3. NIH Biosketch

Submissions should reference “NIH Director’s Award” in the subject line of the email. Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.