Early Stage Investigator Program Overview
An Early Stage Investigator (ESI) is a Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) who meets the following qualifications:
- Completed terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever date is later, within the past 10 years, and
- Has not previously successfully competed as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award.
ESI applications with meritorious scores will be prioritized for funding by the institute or center receiving the application.
Some ESIs will experience a lapse in their research or research training or periods of less than full-time effort during the 10-year ESI period. To accommodate such lapses, NIH will consider requests to extend the ESI period, on a case by case basis at the sole discretion of NIH.
PIs should consult Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Early Stage Investigators prior to submitting a request.
Extensions can be granted for the following reasons as described in NOT-OD-09-034:
- Childbirth
- Family Care Responsibilities
- Clinical Loan Repayment Requirements
- Disability or Illness
- Active Duty Military Service
- Natural or Other Disaster
- Public Health Emergency
- Other
Investigators can submit an ESI Extension request via the ESI Extension Request button in the Education section of the Personal Profile in eRA Commons. The PD/PI must provide a justification for requesting the extension.
NOTE: Only the PD/PI can request the ESI extension. Although filling out the Personal Profile can be delegated by the PI, the request for ESI extension cannot be delegated.
The information described in the request for ESI extension will be considered confidential and will be maintained under the Privacy Act record system SORN, 09-25-0036, “Extramural Awards”. The individual submitting a request for ESI extension is responsible for providing true, accurate, and complete information.
