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2026
NIH Institute and Center Director Perspectives on Implementing the NIH Unified Funding Strategy
Last November, NIH announced it is implementing steps towards a unified strategy that will help guide clearer and consistent funding decisions across all Institutes and Centers (ICs). The August NIH Director’s statement laid the foundation, and today we are sharing our thoughts on this NIH Unified Funding Strategy (UFS) from a holistic NIH viewpoint first, and then how this approach aligns with our individual Institute or Center (IC) established funding practices.
NIH Support for Early Stage Investigators in FYs 2024 and 2025
We are reporting on the number of early stage investigators (ESIs) supported on R01-equivalent awards in fiscal years (FYs) 2024 and 2025. ESIs are those who are within 10 years of their terminal degree or completion of clinical training and who have not yet been awarded a substantial NIH grant (R01-equivalent or more).
2025
My First Substantial Independent Research Award Was Terminated Early. Can My ESI Status Be Reinstated?
In the event an investigator’s first substantial independent research award is terminated within the first three years of the project period, and this was not due to scientific misconduct or other disqualifying events, the investigator can request the reinstatement of Early Stage Investigator (ESI) status in eRA commons.