Key Dates
November 18, 2024
Related Announcements
- December 13, 2023 - Notice of Change to Budget Instructions in PAR-22-180 “Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional". See NOT-GM-24-012.
- May 24, 2022 - Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional). See NOFO PAR-22-180.
Issued by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to update information in PAR-22-180 “Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)" regarding the budget for New Investigators. This Notice applies to applications submitted to the January 16, 2025 due date and beyond.
Part 2. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Overview of the MIRA
Resolving Overlap with Other NIGMS Research Grants During the Award Process
The NOFO currently reads:
Well-funded grantees (having more than $400,000 in direct costs from NIGMS research grants) applying for new MIRAs will generally receive budgets about 12% lower than their previous average NIGMS research funding levels (as determined by NIGMS staff). MIRA budgets for New Investigators will generally be $250,000 in annual direct costs. Note that the Institute does not intend to use a similar blanket policy when setting budgets for MIRA renewals.
The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics):
Well-funded grantees (having more than $400,000 in direct costs from NIGMS research grants) applying for new MIRAs will generally receive budgets about 12% lower than their previous average NIGMS research funding levels (as determined by NIGMS staff). MIRA budgets for New Investigators will generally be no more than $275,000 in annual direct costs excluding equipment. Note that the Institute does not intend to use a similar blanket policy when setting budgets for MIRA renewals.
Part 2. Section II. Award Information
The NOFO currently reads:
Award Budget
Applications from investigators with existing NIGMS research grants may request no more than $750,000 direct costs per year. Investigators should request well-justified actual costs for their research program and to recognize that efficient use of funds is an expectation of the MIRA program and is considered during the review process and in making funding decisions. In general, awards will be commensurate with the investigator’s average total NIGMS research funding over the past few years.
For new applications from PDs/PIs previously funded through NIGMS R01-equivalents, well-justified increases over previous funding levels will be considered for PDs/PIs previously supported by modest budgets (<$250,000 in annual direct costs ), while modest reductions (~12%, on average) should be anticipated for well-funded PDs/PIs ($400,000 or more in annual direct costs from NIGMS). The MIRA budget will generally not be at the level of an NIH Transformative Research Award and will be significantly reduced from NIH Director's Pioneer Award (DP1) level.
MIRA budgets for New Investigators will generally be $250,000 in annual direct costs.
For MIRA renewal applications, NIGMS expects that the award level will be flexible, and a budget increase is possible when well-justified and funds are available. Meritorious applications that are not among the highest priority for funding may be awarded at reduced budget levels.
Other than years when equipment is requested, it is expected that the annual direct costs will remain constant in all years of an award period.
The NOFO is modified to read (changes noted in bold italics):
Award Budget
Applications from investigators with existing NIGMS research grants may request no more than $750,000 direct costs per year. Investigators should request well-justified actual costs for their research program and to recognize that efficient use of funds is an expectation of the MIRA program and is considered during the review process and in making funding decisions. In general, awards will be commensurate with the investigator’s average total NIGMS research funding over the past few years.
For new applications from PDs/PIs previously funded through NIGMS R01-equivalents, well-justified increases over previous funding levels will be considered for PDs/PIs previously supported by modest budgets (<$250,000 in annual direct costs ), while modest reductions (~12%, on average) should be anticipated for well-funded PDs/PIs ($400,000 or more in annual direct costs from NIGMS). The MIRA budget will generally not be at the level of an NIH Transformative Research Award and will be significantly reduced from NIH Director's Pioneer Award (DP1) level.
MIRA budgets for New Investigators will generally be no more than $275,000 in annual direct costs excluding equipment costs.
For MIRA renewal applications, NIGMS expects that the award level will be flexible, and a budget increase is possible when well-justified and funds are available. Meritorious applications that are not among the highest priority for funding may be awarded at reduced budget levels.
Other than years when equipment is requested, it is expected that the annual direct costs will remain constant in all years of an award period.
Part 2. Section IV. Application and Submission Information
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
R&R Budget
Note that the instructions for the R&R Budget form were updated via NOT-GM-24-012 "Notice of Change to Budget Instructions in PAR-22-180 “Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional”. To clarify, MIRA budgets for New Investigators will generally be no more than $275,000 in annual direct costs excluding equipment costs.
All other aspects of this NOFO remain the same.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Leslie Nichols and Jessica Dean
Grants Administration Branch
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Email: MIRA2019FINANCIAL@NIGMS.NIH.GOV
and Human Services (HHS)
