OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-26-121

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of HealthCloses May 26, 2028(591 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This NIH NIGMS program funds individual investigators' research labs within NIGMS' scientific mission, giving stable, flexible support instead of many separate grants. It is for established NIGMS-funded investigators and New Investigators running research programs, not for businesses looking for general operating money. If your work has no connection to NIGMS' basic biomedical science mission, or you are a current Early-Stage Investigator (who must use the separate ESI MIRA notice), do not apply

Best for
University-based investigators with current NIGMS funding, New investigators whose research fits the NIGMS scientific mission, Current MIRA grantees seeking renewal, Research labs that want stable, flexible funding for ambitious projects
Not for
Retail, finance, or housing businesses with no research component, Early-Stage Investigators (should use the ESI MIRA NOFO instead), Organizations relying on foreign subawards or subcontracts, Applicants outside the NIGMS scientific mission
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
78
Strong Match
Environment & ConservationMatches your industry (environment)
74
Good Match
Energy & Clean TechMatches your industry (energy)
70
Good Match
Arts & CultureMatches your industry (creative)
68
Good Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Nothing in this notice points to retail & e-commerce
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Nothing in this notice points to technology & software
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, Operating support
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Individuals, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 26, 2028.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include NIGMS-funded investigators and New Investigators proposing research aligned with NIGMS' scientific mission. Eligible organizations span universities, nonprofits, governments, tribal entities, and small or other for-profit businesses. Foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and applications involving foreign subawards or subcontracts will not be considered.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not specifically address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs. Small businesses and for-profit organizations are listed as eligible applicant types, but you should check Section III of the NOFO to confirm your specific business structure qualifies.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Both nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.

Summary

NIH NIGMS MIRA (R35) grants fund the research programs of individual investigators aligned with NIGMS' scientific mission. Eligible applicants include NIGMS-funded investigators and New Investigators; eligible organizations span universities, nonprofits, governments, tribal entities, and small or other for-profit businesses. Funds support investigators' labs, research, and mentoring.

About this grant

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) provides support for individual investigators for research within the scientific mission of NIGMS via a single grant to achieve the following: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 within the NIGMS mission 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;Reduce the administrative burden associated with a PD/PI managing multiple NIGMS research grants; andEnable PD(s)/PI(s) to devote more time and energy to mentoring junior scientists in a more stable research environment.This NOFO invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded investigators and from New Investigators proposing research that is aligned with NIGMS' scientific mission. The NOFO also allows renewal applications from all current MIRA grantees (including those previously funded as Early-Stage Investigators). Current Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) should apply through the ESI MIRA NOFO, not this NOFO.

Who can apply

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/Foreign CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. This new requirement was effective, May 1, 2025.Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Science
  • Health
  • Research

Program contact

National Institutes of HealthNIGMS_EINIMIRA@nigms.nih.gov301-402-2541

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