NIH NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators: Optional Pre-Application Webinar

NIH NIGMS Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators
Optional Pre-Application Webinar: August 6, 2020 at 1:00PM
SEAS/FAS/OSP Deadline: September 25, 2020Sponsor Deadline: October 2, 2020
Award Amount: Up to $250,000 direct costs per year for five years

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) is a grant to provide support for a program of research in an early stage investigator's laboratory that falls within the mission of NIGMS. For the purpose of this FOA, a program of research is a collection of projects in the investigator's lab that are relevant to the mission of NIGMS. The goal of MIRA is to increase the efficiency and efficacy of NIGMS funding. It is anticipated that this FOA will:

• Enable investigators to apply earlier in their independent research careers, allowing them to secure grant funding that will launch and sustain successful research careers.
• Enhance investigators' ability to move into research areas that are distinct from those of their postdoctoral mentors, which could lead to new scientific discoveries.
• Increase the stability of funding for NIGMS-supported investigators, which could enhance their ability to take on ambitious scientific projects and approach problems more creatively.
• Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions as opportunities arise, rather than being bound to specific aims proposed in advance of the studies.
• More widely distribute funding among the nation's highly talented and promising investigators to increase overall scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs.
• Reduce the time spent by researchers writing and reviewing grant applications, allowing them to spend more time conducting research.
• Enable investigators to devote more time and energy to mentoring trainees in a more stable research environment.

Eligibility to apply for this FOA is limited to NIH defined Early Stage Investigators. ESI eligibility is determined at the time the application is submitted. Applicants who receive R01, SC1, DP1, DP2, or any other type of disqualifying award prior to issuance of the ESI-MIRA, are ineligible to receive the award. The PD/PI is required to devote at least 51% of his/her total research effort to this award. Only single PD/PI applications are allowed.

NIGMS will host a webinar to provide advice and respond to questions from prospective applicants who plan to submit applications on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 1:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time. To join the meeting:

https://nih.webex.com/nih/j.phpMTID=m3cf6bbdf6ba328ed397dd945e5ba084d
Meeting number: 126 938 7475
Meeting password: NIGMS
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-479-3208

Participation in the webinar, although encouraged, is optional and is not required for the submission of an application.