The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) (R37) Award provides extended grant support to Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) who qualify for conversion based on receiving a percentile within the NCI payline for established investigators on their R01 applications. By providing longer term support to ESIs who qualify, the NCI intends to offer flexibility and opportunity for creativity and innovation and additional time to successfully launch their careers and to become more established before having to submit renewal applications (NOT-CA-18-037). The objective of the NCI's ESI MERIT Award is to allow eligible investigators the opportunity to obtain up to 7 years of support in two segments:
The initial approved duration of the award; and
A second phase, providing an additional two years of support
This funding opportunity announcement is specifically for currently funded NCI ESI MERIT recipients to request the second phase of the initial award.