Awards fund independent research in U.S. government laboratories. Applicants design their own research projects. Applicants may apply to as many as three laboratories in each review cycle. Award periods range from one to three years. Senior awards can be made for less than one year.
All awards are renewable up to three years maximum.
Under special circumstances, certain awards can be extended beyond three years. Awards include relocation, professional travel and health insurance. Eligible pplicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or other equivalent research doctorate. Postdoctoral applicants should have held the doctorate less than five years at the time of application. Senior applicants have held the doctorate five years or more at the time of application.