The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are seeking applicants for the 2009 NIH Director's Pioneer Awards and New Innovator Awards. Both programs support exceptionally creative scientists who take highly innovative, potentially high-impact approaches to major challenges in biomedical or behavioral research.

The Director’s Pioneer Awards provide up to $2.5 million in direct costs over five years.  Scientists at any career stage may apply.

New Innovator Awards provide up to $1.5 million in direct costs over five years. Early career investigators who have not received an NIH regular research (R01) or similar NIH grant are eligible.

The agency expects to fund up to 10 Pioneer Awards and 24 New Innovator Awards in Sept. 2009. The Pioneer Award proposal submission period closes Dec. 17, 2008. The New Innovator Award competition proposal submission period extends from Dec. 15, 2008 to Jan. 15, 2009. 

For additional information please go to http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/pioneer and http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/newinnovator.

Source: MUSC’s broadcast email, November 10, 2008.