The NIH Director's Transformative Research Award supports collaborative investigative teams or individual scientists who propose unusually bold and innovative research projects, which, if successful, would have a major impact in a broad area of relevance to the NIH. These awards encourage groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, and unconventional research that can create new scientific paradigms, improve clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. Participating organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its various components, play a crucial role in funding and supporting these transformative research endeavors. Here are some ways they assist awardee projects:

​

Funding: Participating organizations provide financial support to awardees, enabling them to pursue their innovative research ideas. This funding covers project-related expenses such as personnel salaries, equipment, supplies, and other research costs.

​

Guidance and Oversight: NIH program staff actively engage with awardees, offering guidance, coordinating efforts, and ensuring compliance with regulations. They monitor progress, address any challenges, and provide scientific and administrative support throughout the project.

​

Collaboration Opportunities: Participating organizations facilitate collaboration among awardees, connecting them with other researchers, institutions, and resources. Collaborative efforts enhance the impact of transformative research by leveraging diverse expertise.

​

Access to Resources: NIH provides access to specialized facilities, databases, and research tools. These resources enhance the awardees' ability to conduct cutting-edge research and achieve transformative outcomes.

​

Peer Review Process: The NIH Common Fund, which includes the Transformative Research Award, employs a rigorous peer review process. While the identity of investigators and institutions is initially withheld, the review ensures the scientific merit and potential impact of proposed projects.

 

In summary, participating organizations within the NIH ecosystem actively support awardee projects by providing funding, guidance, collaboration opportunities, and access to essential resources. Their commitment to transformative research drives innovation and advances scientific knowledge.