NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards
Harvard Pre-Proposal Deadline: November 17, 2014 by 11:30PM
Award Amount: $250,000 per year for five years plus applicable indirect costs

The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award provides an opportunity for exceptional junior scientists to accelerate their entry into an independent research position at a host institution, essentially skipping the postdoctoral training period following completion of the graduate degree or clinical residency. To be eligible, candidates must be within one year (before or after) of completion of their terminal degree or clinical residency at the time of application. The host institution is expected to make a serious commitment to each awardee through the provision of separate lab space, access to common equipment and resources, and mentoring similar to that provided to assistant professors, but without the imposition of significant administrative or teaching duties. The awardee must be able to function as a truly independent researcher, though still be in a suitably nurturing environment.