Award Transfer

Q: I am interested in applying for the Early Independence Award (DP5), since I obtained my Ph.D. six months ago. Before applying, I would be interested in obtaining some more information about the award. Although the application is submitted via the eligible institution where the P.I. will initially establish his/her lab, can the award be transferred to another institution if the P.I. relocates (i.e., due to career reasons, tenure-track position)?


A: The Early Independence Award places an unusual emphasis on the interactions between the investigator and the host institution. Moreover, as with all NIH grants, the actual grantee is the institution and not the investigator. Therefore, though it is possible in principle to change institutions, the original institution must be willing to relinquish the award to the new institution and the new institution must provide satisfactory documentation to NIH staff that it will provide the necessary supportive environment to the investigator.