Maximizing Investigators Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI) is a research grant program offered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program is designed specifically to support early stage investigators by providing stable, flexible funding for their research programs. This funding opportunity is a reissue of PAR-20-117 and falls under the R35 activity code. It enables early-career scientists to establish themselves as independent researchers and allows them to pursue innovative directions in alignment with NIGMS’s mission to support research on fundamental biological processes and systems. The MIRA program provides comprehensive funding for a research program, which is defined as a collection of projects within an investigator’s lab that relate to the NIGMS mission. MIRA differs from traditional grants in its focus on programmatic rather than project-based funding, which promotes scientific freedom and long-term productivity. The intent is to allow ESIs to explore broader and potentially more ambitious research questions without the need to submit multiple grant applications. Notably, applicants are not required to submit preliminary data, encouraging novel approaches and reducing the burden of preparing detailed research plans. Eligible applicants must meet NIH’s definition of an Early Stage Investigator at the time of application submission. They must be principal investigators capable of committing at least 51% of their total research effort to the MIRA-funded program. Only single PD/PI applications are accepted; multi-PI applications are not allowed. While the program permits clinical research in specific NIGMS mission areas (e.g., anesthesiology, sepsis, wound healing), it prohibits trials focused on safety and efficacy or involving large-scale recruitment efforts inconsistent with the flexible design of MIRA awards. MIRA applicants may request up to $250,000 in direct costs per year for a maximum project period of five years. While itemized budgets are not required, justification for equipment purchases and consortium costs must be provided. The number of awards made depends on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications. Awardees may later apply for MIRA renewal through opportunities not limited to ESIs, but may not resubmit the same application if initially unsuccessful. Instead, they may submit a new application while retaining ESI eligibility. Applications with overlapping NIGMS awards may require relinquishment of those awards upon receipt of the MIRA. Applications must be submitted electronically via ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system platforms. Required documents include a tailored project summary, biosketches, and a letter of support from the applicant’s department or academic unit. Specific Aims sections are not permitted, and the Research Strategy must follow MIRA-specific guidance, emphasizing context, recent progress, and future plans without detailed experimental approaches. Data Management and Sharing Plans are required, as is compliance with all NIH policies, including those governing human and animal subjects. This funding opportunity opened on September 3, 2023, and has semiannual application due dates, including February 1 and October 3. The current cycle closes on February 3, 2026, and the opportunity is set to expire on February 4, 2026. The next due date after February 2026 is expected to be October 3, 2026, based on the recurring submission pattern. Application evaluations include scientific merit review, advisory council review, and an award decision, with earliest start dates typically five months after submission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with NIGMS staff six weeks prior to submission to ensure alignment with program goals.

Focus on conceptual clarity over specific experiments. Omit specific aims and preliminary data. Follow format strictly to avoid rejection.