The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has announced the reissue of the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI) under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PAR-23-145. This award, categorized under the R35 Outstanding Investigator Award mechanism, provides support for a broad research program within the mission of NIGMS. The MIRA is designed to help early-stage investigators secure funding earlier in their careers, enhancing their ability to explore new research directions and transition from postdoctoral mentorship to independent scientific discovery.

The primary goal of the MIRA program is to increase the stability of funding for early-stage investigators, enabling them to pursue ambitious research and fostering flexibility to explore new research avenues as they emerge. Unlike traditional NIH grants that focus on specific projects, the MIRA funds a collection of research projects in an investigator’s lab, providing the freedom to adapt research efforts without being bound by rigid, predefined aims. This program emphasizes reducing administrative burden, allowing researchers to dedicate more time to research and mentoring, while also promoting inclusivity through the required Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP). MIRA aligns with NIGMS’s goal to diversify the biomedical research workforce and foster scientific innovation by encouraging diversity of institutions, investigators, and research approaches.

Applicants can request up to $250,000 in direct costs annually for a project period of up to five years. This award supports basic, translational, and clinical research within NIGMS’s mission, with some limitations on clinical trials. Mechanistic clinical trials are permitted, while those testing safety and efficacy of interventions (e.g., Phase I, II, III trials) are not allowed. The MIRA program encourages applications that explore innovative, interdisciplinary research and seek to expand inclusivity in scientific endeavors. While preliminary data are not required, applications must demonstrate how the investigator’s program fits within the NIGMS mission and advances the field of biomedical research.

Eligible applicants for this MIRA award are NIH-defined Early Stage Investigators (ESIs), who have completed their terminal research degree or medical residency within the past 10 years but have not yet received a substantial independent NIH research award. Applicants must devote at least 51% of their research effort to the MIRA project, ensuring that the award supports a significant portion of their lab’s activities. Institutions eligible to apply include higher education institutions (both public and private), non-profit organizations, and various governmental entities, but foreign institutions are not eligible.

Applications must follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and include key documents such as a biosketch for the PD/PI and a detailed Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP). This one-page plan outlines strategies to increase diversity in research teams, training opportunities, and outreach efforts. The PEDP is a critical component, as it ensures that diverse perspectives are integrated into the research process, which is essential for enhancing innovation and addressing complex scientific questions.

Deadlines for submission fall on a biannual cycle, with upcoming due dates on February 1, 2024, and October 3, 2024. Applications must be submitted via the NIH ASSIST system, Grants.gov, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Applicants are encouraged to contact NIGMS program officials at least six weeks before submission to discuss the suitability of their research program for the MIRA mechanism. The project start date for successful applications will be in July following the application due date.

Overall, the MIRA for Early Stage Investigators offers a unique opportunity for promising investigators to establish a long-term, flexible research program with substantial NIH support. This award is particularly beneficial for those looking to innovate and expand their research portfolio within the NIGMS mission, while fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific environment.