The Early Investigator Research Award supports NF-focused research opportunities for individuals in the early stages of their careers, under the guidance of a Designated Mentor. This opportunity allows for early-stage investigators to develop a research project, investigate a problem or question in NF research, and further their intellectual development as an NF researcher of the future. The postdoctoral investigator is considered the Principal Investigator (PI) of the application and must exhibit strong potential for, and commitment to, pursuing a career as an investigator at the forefront of NF research; however, the PI is not required to have previous NF research experience. Applications must include at least one mentor, appropriate to the proposed research project, who has experience in NF research and mentoring as demonstrated by a record of active funding, recent publications, and successful mentorship. The Designated Mentor can be a junior faculty member, in which case the PI is encouraged to include a co-mentor with a more robust track record in NF research and mentorship. The selected mentor(s) should also demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of the PI toward independence as an NF researcher.