Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're an established researcher ready to pivot into a bold new research direction without preliminary data, this NIH grant can fund the risky-but-promising leap.
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What this is
The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator (ESI) R01 grant funds exploratory research projects that represent a significant change in direction for an investigator who has not yet established a substantial independent research program. Applicants must demonstrate innovation and cannot include preliminary data; instead, they must clearly articulate why they are shifting research focus. This is a multi-institute NIH program covering diverse research areas (CFDA codes span NIH institutes from NCI to NHLBI to NIMH), making it broadly applicable across biomedical and behavioral science domains.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include academic institutions (public and private), small businesses, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), tribal governments, state and local governments, and for-profit organizations. The primary requirement is that the applicant qualifies as an Early Stage Investigator (typically within 10 years of terminal degree and without substantial NIH funding history). U.S. citizenship or permanent residency typically required for institutional affiliation with U.S.-based organizations.
Eligible applicant types
- Private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- County governments
- Special district governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- State governments
- City or township governments
Full description — from the agency
The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant supports an innovative project that represents a change in research direction for an early stage investigator (ESI) and for which no preliminary data exist. Applications submitted to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) must not include preliminary data. Applications must include a separate attachment describing the change in research direction.
Topics: nih early stage investigator grant · r01 research grant · exploratory research funding · career transition research · biomedical research pivot
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.