What is the "early career investigator" category?

This project category is intended to promote the development of new principal investigators who wish to engage in research to improve firefighter safety, health, and well-being. This category is reserved for projects led by a principal investigator who received a Ph.D. or equivalent advanced level research degree no more than five years prior to the opening date of the application period. As the development of new research talent through mentoring is a focus of these awards, projects that are affiliated with larger ongoing fire service research efforts are encouraged.

Description of the research project as well as the mentoring plan must be included in the Narrative. Applicants should identify how the project will support the development of the principal investigator within the field of firefighter research. The applicant’s institution must be the sponsoring institution because individuals are not eligible to receive an award under this program. All proposed projects must have at least one fire service partner. These projects are limited to a maximum $200,000 federal share per project year. The mentor must provide a signed letter of support and commitment of their mentoring role along with a biosketch to include in the Appendix. Early career applicants will receive unique scoring in the science review process to include a score for the mentoring plan.