Director’s Transformative Research Award (R01 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 individual researchers and research teams conducting transformative, high-risk research with potential to reshape science or establish new clinical approaches. Applicants must be affiliated with eligible research institutions. U.S. and international researchers may apply depending on their institution's federal funding eligibility.
The award supports bold, unconventional projects that challenge existing paradigms. Research may span all NIH scientific areas. Applicants typically must have strong institutional support and demonstrated research capacity.
The grant operates through NIH's Common Fund, making it available to researchers at universities, medical centers, nonprofit research organizations, and other federally-eligible institutions nationwide.
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Key dates
- Sep 3, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 3, 2027 Application deadline in 363 days
- Aug 30, 2028 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2028 Project start
Program description
The NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award supports individual scientists and research teams pursuing bold, groundbreaking, and unconventional research with the potential to transform science, create new scientific paradigms, establish new clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. The Transformative Research 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
- NIH R&R Form (SF-424 equivalents and project-specific forms)
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy)
- Biosketch(es) of key personnel
- Budget Justification
- Institutional commitment letters
- Supporting documents (letters of collaboration, preliminary data)
Program contact
- 👤 NIH Director's Transformative Research Award Program
- 📧 Transformative_Awards@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via email.
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
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$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 Transformative Research Award?
Individual scientists and research teams pursuing groundbreaking research. Applicants must be at institutions eligible for NIH federal funding.
What makes a project competitive for this award?
Transformative potential—projects that challenge current paradigms, establish new approaches, or create paradigm shifts. Bold vision and feasibility are both essential.
Can clinical trials be included in the project?
Yes, clinical trials are optional. The R01 mechanism accommodates research with or without clinical trial components.
What is the typical award amount and duration?
Award amounts vary. Consult the official funding announcement for the current budget range and project period details.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, the deadline is September 3, 2027. No cost-sharing requirement applies.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on transformative potential, not incremental innovation. Clearly articulate how your work will reshape the field or establish new paradigms.
- Address the high-risk nature explicitly. Explain why the project is unconventional and what makes it feasible despite the risk.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment. Include strong letters of support from your institution and collaborators.
- Connect to NIH priorities. Show how your research aligns with NIH's mission and Common Fund strategic direction.
- Build a compelling narrative. Use clear language to explain bold ideas. Avoid technical jargon that obscures your vision.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack clear transformative vision or describe incremental rather than paradigm-shifting research. Applicants underestimate project risk or fail to address feasibility of unconventional approaches. Weak institutional support or insufficient evidence of researcher's capacity to execute bold research.
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