Hugh Auchincloss, M.D.
Former NIAID Principal Deputy Director
Congratulations to the awardees of the NIAID DP2 New Innovator Award Program. I cannot wait to see the exciting science that develops as a result of their bold new ideas under exploration. Their energy for creativity, inquiry, and flexibility promises a vibrant future for biomedical research.
Personally, I am gratified to see the DP2 New Innovator Award Program launch at NIAID. This important award opportunity enables bright young investigators to go in new directions with high-impact research. Supporting early-career investigators is integral to the NIAID mission to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. In particular, NIAID’s unique mandate to respond to emerging public health threats necessitates that NIAID support versatile research that can adjust to changing needs.
Unlike more traditional grant funding opportunities, which require a track record of experience with a specialized topic, the DP2 awards seek imaginative and original scientific goals without a requirement for preliminary data. The awards help to reduce the barriers that young investigators can face in traditional funding opportunities and align with NIAID’s commitment to funding an extramural research portfolio inclusive of the diverse populations it serves.
I am proud to support these exceptional early-career investigators and facilitate their movement into independent positions.
Hugh Auchincloss, M.D.
Former Principal Deputy Director
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases