Attention Medical Sociology Researchers . . . 1/26/2005

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the 2005 NIH Director's Pioneer Award, a key component of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research (see January 2004 Footnotes newsletter, p. 3, Public Affairs Update, and the November 2003 Footnotes Executive Officer's column, p. 2). The award supports scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering approaches to major challenges in biomedical research. The goal of the program is to stimulate high-risk, high-impact research by enabling exceptionally creative investigators from multiple disciplines—including biomedical, behavioral, social, physical, chemical and computer science; engineering; and mathematics—to develop and test groundbreaking ideas relevant to NIH's mission.

The program is open to scientists at all career levels who are currently engaged in any field of research, interested in exploring biomedically relevant topics, and willing to commit the major portion of their effort to Pioneer Award research. Women, members of groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research, and individuals in the early to middle stages of their careers are especially encouraged to nominate themselves. Awardees must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.

In September 2005, NIH expects to make 5 to 10 new Pioneer Awards of up to $500,000 in direct costs per year for 5 years.

The streamlined self-nomination process includes a 3- to 5-page essay, a biographical sketch, a list of current research support, and the names of three references. Submit nominations on the Pioneer Award website, at http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/pioneer, between March 1 and April 1, 2005.

For more information, visit the Pioneer Award webite or e-mail questions to pioneer@nih.gov.