Director’s Pioneer Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for established researchers pursuing exceptionally innovative, high-risk research with transformative potential. Applicants must demonstrate creative capacity to open new scientific directions substantially different from their current work. The award supports projects across all NIH mission-relevant areas. Specific eligibility requirements are published in the detailed NIH solicitation and typically include institutional affiliation and research capacity.
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Key dates
- Sep 3, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 9, 2027 Application deadline in 369 days
- Aug 30, 2028 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2028 Project start
Program description
The NIH Director’s Pioneer Award supports exceptionally creative scientists pursuing bold, innovative research with the potential to transform important areas of science relevant to the NIH mission. Proposed projects must explore new scientific directions that differ substantially from the investigator’s current research and from existing work in the field. Applications are welcome across all areas relevant to NIH. The Pioneer Award is part of the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative (research strategy)
- Biographical Sketch (5 pages)
- Bibliography and References
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Certification and Commitment Letter
Program contact
- 👤 NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program
- 📧 PioneerAwards@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$973,507,476
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$383,462,829
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$190,396,050
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$179,737,926
-
$169,422,678
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$167,922,818
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$147,947,250
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$143,679,156
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$115,739,255
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$91,722,927
Top States by Funding
- CA 2 awards $1,141.4M
- NC 4 awards $446.1M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $317.4M
- NY 3 awards $207.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,174,839,078 | |
| 2025 | $1,062,277,534 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,100,048 |
FAQ
Who can apply for the Director's Pioneer Award?
Established, exceptionally creative scientists with a track record of innovation. You must propose research that differs substantially from your current work and existing research in the field.
What research areas are eligible?
All areas relevant to the NIH mission, including biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences research.
How much funding is available?
Awards are typically $700,000 total, typically distributed over five years.
What makes an application competitive?
Bold, innovative ideas with clear transformative potential. Strong track record of creativity. Clear articulation of why this work is timely and important.
Can I submit if I've been rejected before?
Yes. Reapplication is allowed. Resubmissions should address prior reviewer feedback and strengthen scientific justification.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate why your proposed direction is novel and differs from your prior work. Reviewers will scrutinize this distinction.
- Emphasize transformative potential and long-term significance, not incremental progress. High-risk research expects bold vision.
- Address feasibility and preliminary data honestly. Ambitious ideas still require credible scientific rationale.
- Highlight your track record of innovation and creativity. The award prioritizes investigators with demonstrated capacity for breakthrough thinking.
- Frame potential impact broadly: how could this work reshape an entire field or open new scientific questions?
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals that appear incremental rather than truly novel or transformative. Applications lacking clear distinction between proposed work and applicant's prior research. Insufficient justification of feasibility or credible roadmap for high-risk ideas.
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