We’ve issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) (PAR 22-180) to provide sustained support for biomedical research through our Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) program. 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 eligible MIRA grantees (established and ex-Early Stage Investigators). Program directors (PDs)/principal investigators (PIs) who are currently Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) should apply through the ESI MIRA FOA and not to this announcement.

Major changes to this FOA include:

1. Eligibility: A New Investigator (one who hasn’t yet competed successfully for a substantial, independent NIH research award) working in the mission areas of NIGMS is eligible to apply for a MIRA, if they are not a project leader on any multicomponent NIH awards, except for research project leaders and pilot project leaders on NIGMS COBRE, IDeA-CTR, or NARCH grants. Before applying, New Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact a relevant program officer to discuss whether their proposed research is in the NIGMS mission.
2. Budget: New Investigators’ budgets will generally be $250,000 in annual direct costs. Budgets for new MIRAs converted from a qualifying NIGMS award(s) will continue to be determined based on the PD’s/PI’s current NIGMS support level. Budgets for MIRA renewals could be increased, as described in our previous Feedback Loop post.
3. Plan for enhancing diverse perspectives (PEDP): All applications must include a summary of strategies to advance the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project through expanded inclusivity. Please follow instructions in the FOA when preparing your PEDP. For additional help, refer to the NIH BRAIN Initiative website for detailed information on the key elements and examples and FAQs of a PEDP.

If you have questions about this FOA, please contact me or a relevant program officer.