National Institute of
General Medical Sciences

MIRA provides support for the research in an investigator's laboratory that falls within the mission of NIGMS. The goal of MIRA is to increase the efficiency of NIGMS funding by providing investigators with greater stability and flexibility, thereby enhancing scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs. The program will also help distribute funding more widely among the nation's highly talented and promising investigators. MIRA grants will generally be for 5 years, for both established investigators and new and early stage investigators. With the publication of PAR-19-367 the program has now expanded to include established investigators who currently hold an NIGMS R01 equivalent grant; early stage investigators may apply through PAR-17-190.

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35)

• Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, PAR-19-367 (applications accepted in 2020 – 2022)
• ​ Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About MIRA PAR-19-367

• Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, PAR-17-094 (closed)
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About MIRA PAR-17-094
• Use NIH RePORTER to Determine FY 2019 MIRA Eligibility [PDF, 295KB]
• MIRA Current and Pending Support Model Attachment [PDF, 322KB] (Required)
• MIRA for Established NIGMS Investigators Webinar, Slides and Webinar Q&A, January 31, 2017
• Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, RFA-GM-17-002 (Closed - Pending Council)
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About MIRA RFA-GM-17-002
• MIRA Eligibility Flowchart [PDF, 63KB]
• MIRA for Established NIGMS Investigators Webinar and Slides, March 21, 2016
• Maximizing Investigators' Research Award, RFA-GM-16-002 (Expired)
• Eligibility for Administrative Supplements

Maximizing Investigators' Research Award for Early Stage Investigators (R35)

• Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award for Early Stage Investigators, PAR-17-190
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about MIRA PAR-17-190
• Webinar for New and Early Stage MIRA PIs and Slides, September 26, 2017
• Webinar and Other Resources for New MIRA ESI Funding Opportunity and Slides, July 10, 2017
• Maximizing Investigators' Research Award for Early Stage Investigators, RFA-GM-17-004 (Expired)
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about MIRA RFA-GM-17-004
• MIRA for Early Stage Investigators Webinar and Slides, September 27, 2016
• Maximizing Investigators' Research Award for New and Early Stage Investigators, RFA-GM-16-003 (Expired)
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About MIRA for New and Early Stage Investigators
• MIRA for New and Early Stage Investigators Webinar, June 30, 2015
• Eligibility for Administrative Supplements

For more information about MIRA, contact Dr. Vernon Anderson.

For more information about ESI-MIRA, contact Dr. Sailaja Koduri and Dr. Michele McGuirl.

NIH Definitions of New and Early Stage Investigators, Policies, and Procedures

MIRA Current and Pending Support Model Attachment [PDF, 322KB] (Required)

New NIH Biosketch and Sample (Required)