Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant
- Roybal Coordinating Center
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant supports an innovative project that represents a change in research direction for an early stage investigator (ESI) and for which no preliminary data exist. Applications submitted to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) must not include preliminary data. Applications must include a separate attachment describing the change in research direction. The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions.
This notice of funding opportunity does not accept applications proposing clinical trials.
Notice of Funding Opportunity Description
The purpose of the Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant is to provide a new pathway for Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) who wish to propose research projects in a new direction for which preliminary data do not exist. Named in honor of the late National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Director, Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is open to a broad range of scientific research relevant to the mission of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). Proposed projects must represent a change in research direction for the ESI and should be innovative and unique. A distinct feature for this NOFO is that applications must not include preliminary data. PD/PIs who wish to propose research projects consistent with their past work or training and/or supported by preliminary data, should apply to the Parent R01 or other NOFOs allowing for preliminary data. More information and FAQs are available on the Katz award program website.
Created in 2020, the Katz award provides a unique opportunity for early-stage investigators to take their research in a completely new direction, thereby stimulating innovation and encouraging new approaches to solving problems. This NOFO is appropriate for ESIs who wish to initiate a research project in an area different from their previous research focus and/or training experience, and therefore have not produced preliminary data. Proposed research projects can rely on the PD/PI’s prior work and expertise as its foundation, but must not be an incremental advancement, expansion, or extension of a previous research effort. The change in research direction could involve, for example, a new approach, methodology, technique, discipline, therapeutic target, and/or new paradigm, different from the ESI’s previous research efforts. Importantly, the proposed direction must represent a change in research direction for the PD/PI. Because a change in research direction is heavily dependent upon the area of investigation, candidates are strongly encouraged to contact a program director to discuss their proposed project. If the application proposes multiple Principal Investigators (MPIs), all PD/PIs must be ESIs and the proposed project must be a change in research direction for all MPIs. Please note that the application must describe how the proposed new research direction is different from the ESI’s past work in a separate attachment entitled “New Research Directions” (see Section IV, SF424(R&R) Other Project Information).
For this funding opportunity, applications including preliminary data will be considered noncompliant with the NOFO instructions and will be withdrawn. Preliminary data are defined as data not yet published. Existence of preliminary data is an indication that the proposed project has advanced beyond the scope defined by this program and makes the application unsuitable for this funding opportunity. Publication in the proposed new research direction is an indication that the proposed work may not be in a new research direction for the ESI. The logical basis and premise for the proposed work should be supported by published data or data from preprints that may have a Digital Object Identifier (DOI). These data must be labeled and cited adjacent to each occurrence within the application and must be presented unmodified from the original published format. Figures and tables containing data must include citation(s) within the legend. The data should be unambiguously identified as published through citation that, if available, includes the DOI (see Section IV.2). Candidates are reminded that NIH instructions do not allow URLs or hyperlinks to websites or documents that contain data in any part of the application (see NOT-OD-20-174).
Determinations of merit and feasibility will consider the conceptual framework, level of innovation, and potential to significantly advance our knowledge and understanding. Candidates are encouraged to justify the conceptual and technical feasibility for the proposed work through previous experience, literature citations, compelling logic, and published data and publicly available databases. Examples of sources which can be used to demonstrate feasibility (non-inclusive) include PubMed; Bookshelf; Medline Plus; Open-I; TOXNET; ClinicalTrials.gov; BLAST; Nucleotide; Genome; SNP; Gene; Protein; and PubChem. Since applications to this NOFO could involve higher risk, candidates are encouraged to clearly explain the significance of the proposed work, to allow the reviewers to determine whether the potential impact offsets a higher risk. Candidates should clearly explain why the new knowledge to be gained is beyond incremental.