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

National Institutes of Health

The Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) provides support for the program of research in an investigator's laboratory that is within the mission of NIGMS. The goal of MIRA is to increase the efficiency and efficacy of NIGMS funding. It is anticipated that this program will:

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;
Enable investigators to devote more time and energy to mentoring trainees in a more stable research environment.

This FOA allows applications from eligible NIGMS-funded investigators and from New Investigators proposing research within the scientific mission of NIGMS. The FOA also allows renewal applications from all current MIRA grantees (established investigators and those previously funded as early-stage investigators). PD/PIs who are currently Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) should apply through the ESI MIRA FOA and should not apply through this FOA.

Application Due Date(s): January 17, 2023; May 16, 2023; Jan 16, 2024; May 16, 2024; Jan. 16, 2025; May 16, 2025

PAR-22-180 Expiration Date May 17, 2025

Specialties

Interdisciplinary

Medical - Basic Science

Medical - Translational

Medical

Medical - Clinical Science

Eligibility Requirements

Subject to the eligibility criteria below, individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Women, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, from disadvantaged backgrounds, or with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

PDs/PIs whose only NIGMS research grant(s) is a multi-PD/PI grant(s) are not eligible to apply for a MIRA.

For this FOA, PDs/PIs with a funded NIGMS R35 are eligible to submit a renewal MIRA application before the end of their eligibility time window. Successful renewal applications will generally be awarded in the fiscal year of Council review, and the current MIRA will be terminated upon the issuance of the new MIRA award. If a renewal MIRA application is unsuccessful, a new MIRA application may be submitted as long as the PD/PI remains eligible. The eligibility for investigators funded with a MIRA extends to the end of the second fiscal year following the one in which the funded MIRA was originally set to expire.

For this FOA, PDs/PIs with at least one NIGMS single-PD/PI R01-equivalent award (defined here as R01, NRMN U01, R37, DP1, DP2, and SC1) are eligible to submit a new MIRA application(s) before the end of their eligibility time window. Successful MIRA applications will be awarded in the fiscal year of Council review. If a pending MIRA application is unsuccessful, another new MIRA application(s) may be submitted as long as the PD/PI remains eligible. The eligibility for investigators funded with at least one single-PD/PI NIGMS R01 or equivalent award extends to the end of the fiscal year following the one in which the funded single-PD/PI R01 or equivalent award was originally set to expire.

NIH will consider requests to extend the eligibility to apply for a MIRA for life events (e.g., childbirth or adoption, military service, health-related issues, natural disasters) that impact research progress during the eligibility window. Applicants seeking an extension of their eligibility status must contact a Scientific/Research Contact at least 8 weeks before submitting the application.

For this FOA, New Investigators proposing research within the scientific mission of NIGMS are eligible to apply for a MIRA if the PD/PI is not a project leader on any multi- component awards from NIH, except for research project leaders and pilot project leaders in NIGMS COBRE, NIGMS IDeA-CTR or NIGMS NARCH awards who are eligible to apply. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIGMS program staff to discuss the relevance of their research program to the NIGMS mission before submitting a MIRA application. Applications that fall outside of the NIGMS mission will be withdrawn prior to review.

ESIs should apply for a MIRA only through the MIRA FOA for ESIs .

This FOA does not allow resubmissions, although a new application can be submitted after an unsuccessful attempt as long as the PD/PI remains eligible, as defined above.

The PD/PI is required to devote at least 51% of the PD/PI's total research effort to this award. The total research effort should include the PD/PI's combined research effort at all institutions where the PD/PI holds an appointment, should be expressed in person-months, and should not include time expended toward teaching, administration not directly related to the PD's/PI's research, and/or clinical duties. NIGMS staff will verify the MIRA research effort requirement is met by using the Other Support documentation and will exclude support for which the purpose is education, training or enhancing workforce diversity.

All current NIGMS research grants except those listed in Section I will be terminated upon the issuance of the new MIRA grants. Investigators who receive funds as project leaders on multi-component NIGMS grants (i.e., P50 or RM1) will have their MIRA award level adjusted to remove any overlap between their MIRA and their multi-component grant. The MIRA PD/PI will be required to relinquish their involvement in the multi-component grant at the end of its competitive segment.

Only single PD/PI applications are allowed. Applications with multiple PDs/PIs will not be accepted.