Most academics regularly submit papers and compete for grants and promotions. These endeavors are necessary for their success but often end in rejection. Responses to rejection in academia have typically been individually focused. Most discussions of the topic describe what academics themselves can do to cope with rejection.

The NIH Common Fund has active funding opportunities for the High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. These funding opportunities seek outside-the-box research ideas that if successful would have a large impact in an area of research relevant to the broad mission of NIH.

This is an opportunity for you to speak with NIH Program Officers and have your questions directly answered. 

The Pioneer Award Program: for investigators at any career stage who have a record of unusually innovative research and who propose pioneering ideas going forward. (Application receipt date of September 10, 2021.)

The New Innovator Award: for Early Stage Investigators (those within ten years of receipt of their terminal research degree or completion of their clinical training) who propose unusually innovative and impactful research. (Application receipt date of August 20, 2021.)

The Transformative Research Awards: for individuals (single Principal Investigator) or teams (multiple Principal Investigators) who propose unconventional, potentially groundbreaking research projects with flexible budgets. (Application receipt date of September 1, 2021.)

The Early Independence Awards: for exceptional junior scientists who wish to “skip the post-doc” to launch independent research careers (only up to two applications per institution are allowed). (Application receipt date of September 3, 2021.)

Date: July 28, 2021

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location: Virtual event

This workshop will explore what the past year has looked and felt like for a Black woman and white woman, both raising children as higher education professionals. In the summer of 2020, we talked about why crying won't solve racism. Join us as we share ways that we are both putting our words into action.

Application Due: September 23, 2021

The Career Development Award (CDA) provides research funding to clinical investigators, who have received their initial faculty appointment, as they work to establish an independent clinical cancer research program.

This is a mentored award and the research project is conducted under the guidance of a scientific mentor.

Application Due: September 23, 2021

The Young Investigator Award (YIA) provides funding to promising investigators to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology. The purpose of this grant is to fund physicians during the transition from a fellowship program to a faculty appointment. 

This is a mentored award and the research project is conducted under the guidance of a scientific mentor.