NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
About
The NIH Director"s Transformative Research Award supports individual scientists or groups of scientists proposing bold, groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish entirely new and improved clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. Applications in any area within the biomedical sciences are welcome; topics may involve basic, translational, or clinical research. No preliminary data are required. Projects must clearly demonstrate, based on the strength of the logic, a compelling potential to produce a major impact in a broad area of relevance to the NIH. The NIH Director"s Transformative Research Award is a component of the High-Risk, High-Reward Research (HRHR) program of the NIH Common Fund.
The NIH Director's Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) is designed for bold, visionary scientists and research teams pursuing groundbreaking discoveries with the potential to fundamentally reshape biomedical science and clinical practice. This prestigious award supports exceptionally innovative, unconventional research that can establish entirely new scientific paradigms, develop transformative technologies, or create improved clinical approaches. Unlike many NIH programs, this award does not require preliminary data, making it ideal for researchers with compelling logic and high-risk, high-reward concepts. The program welcomes applications across all biomedical science areas—basic, translational, or clinical research—enabling scientists to pursue their most ambitious ideas. As part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, this award represents the NIH's commitment to funding transformative science. Eligible applicants include individual scientists and collaborative research groups from U.S.-based organizations. If you're a researcher with a bold vision to create major scientific impact and reshape your field, this award offers the support and recognition to pursue truly transformative work.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
September 3, 2026
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Varies by funding cycle
Deadline
2026-09-03
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual
Best For
Individual scientists and research groups pursuing bold, groundbreaking, high-risk research with transformative potential
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for NIH Director's Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)?
Individual scientists and groups of scientists from U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, though foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. For complete eligibility requirements, refer to Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the official NIH website.
How much funding does NIH Director's Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) provide?
Specific funding amounts are not listed in the current program information. Award amounts vary and may differ by funding cycle. Contact the NIH directly or consult the official NOFO for current funding details and budget guidelines.
How do I apply for NIH Director's Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)?
Applications are submitted through the NIH's standard electronic submission process. You'll need to prepare a competitive application highlighting the bold, innovative nature of your research and its potential for major scientific impact. Detailed application instructions, formatting requirements, and submission deadlines are available on the official NIH grants website and in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
What can NIH Director's Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding be used for?
Funding supports groundbreaking biomedical research across basic, translational, and clinical science domains. Research must demonstrate exceptional innovation, originality, and potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish new clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. The award is flexible in scope, welcoming bold, unconventional research ideas with clear potential for major scientific impact.
Last updated: July 5, 2026