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Applications sought for NIH Director’s Early Independence Awards

Note: Vanderbilt is limited to two applicants to this program.

Internal proposal deadline: Dec. 15, 2015
Letter of intent due date: Dec. 29, 2015
Application due date:  Jan. 29, 2016

The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award Program supports exceptional investigators who wish to pursue independent research directly after completion of their terminal doctoral/research degree or clinical residency, thereby forgoing the traditional postdoctoral training period and accelerating their entry into an independent research career.

Eligibility: At the time of application, the individual either 1) within the preceding 12 months must have received a terminal doctoral degree or completed medical residency; or 2) within the following 12 months must complete all the requirements for a doctoral degree or complete a medical residency. The fellowship training period is not included in the clinical residency or equivalent training period.

An internal proposal is required, including:

  • Name of PI/PD(s)
  • Tentative title of the intended proposal
  • Names of other key faculty and departments expected to participate
  • A brief (1–2 page maximum) summary of the scope and content of the program
  • Letter from the applicant’s department chair or center director committing to provide the necessary space and other resources to support the awardee’s independent research.

Additional information may be requested.

Internal proposals should be submitted as a single compiled PDF via this link. If necessary, a faculty review committee will select the institutional applicants.

Questions?

For more information, please contact Susan Meyn in the VUMC Office of Research at
s.meyn@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 322-0470; or Elizabeth Rapisarda, assistant provost of research and graduate education, at elizabeth.rapisarda@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 322-3684.