NIH recently announced new policies modifying the NIH New Investigator Policy to identify Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) and establishing goals to encourage funding for New Investigators and ESIs.

• Data on New and Early Stage Investigators

• History of Commitment to New Investigators
• Encouraging Early Transition to Research Independence: Modifying the NIH New Investigator Policy to Identify Early Stage Investigators, September 26, 2008, NOT-OD-08-121
• Revised New and Early Stage Investigator Policies, October 31, 2008, NOT-OD-09-013
• Implementing the Early Stage Investigator Policy: Updating eRA Commons Profiles to Include Degree and Residency Completion Dates, November 21, 2008, NOT-OD-09-021

• OER Web site on New and Early Stage Investigators

• As a new Investigator, what do I need to know to apply for a grant? These NIH New Investigator Policies are limited to applications for traditional research project grant (R01) support.  Accordingly, the NIH strongly encourages New Investigators, particularly ESIs, to apply for R01 grants when seeking first-time NIH funding.