The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a branch of the NIH, is offering funding under the U13 cooperative agreement for an annual conference that will focus on Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) research within the field of communication disorders. This conference aims to strengthen the D&I skills of researchers working across the NIDCD mission areas, which include hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. The conference will feature topics on D&I theories, strategies, and outcome measures that are applicable to these areas. The cooperative agreement mechanism ensures significant NIH involvement in conference planning and execution, with an NIDCD official designated as the project coordinator.

The D&I research field seeks to bridge the gap between evidence-based innovations (EBIs) and their application in clinical practice and community settings. NIDCD has recognized the growing but still nascent field of D&I research in communication disorders, highlighting the need to develop foundational skills, including the use of D&I frameworks, diverse implementation strategies, and evaluation metrics. This conference is part of a broader strategy to foster D&I competencies in communication disorders, with the ultimate goal of promoting the adoption and integration of EBIs in real-world settings.

Funding for this opportunity is projected to be $100,000 per conference year, with applicants able to propose up to a five-year project if the conference series is organized by a permanent organization. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, non-profits, government entities, small businesses, and other organizations listed under the NIH’s eligibility requirements. Foreign organizations, however, are not eligible. The proposed conference must also include a Diversity Plan that outlines strategies to ensure broad representation from underrepresented groups in the biomedical sciences, including women, minorities, and people with disabilities. This plan will be assessed during the application review but will not receive a separate score.

Applications must adhere to NIH and NIDCD-specific submission guidelines, and a letter of intent is due by October 25, 2024. Full applications are due by November 25, 2024, with reviews occurring in March 2025 and funding decisions by May 2025. Successful applicants are expected to initiate their project by July 2025. The conference must be organized with an emphasis on inclusivity, featuring topics and sessions relevant to all NIDCD mission areas. Additionally, a steering committee, composed of members representing each mission area, will oversee planning, execution, and evaluation. The conference must also prioritize a safe, respectful, and discrimination-free environment per NIH policies, with a mandatory safety plan that addresses harassment prevention and response.

Reviewers will assess applications based on several criteria, including the conference’s significance in advancing D&I research in communication disorders, the expertise of key personnel, the novelty of the conference structure, and the logistical approach to achieving the stated goals. The conference’s inclusiveness across mission areas, commitment to diversity, and family care provisions will also be reviewed. Applications that lack key elements, such as D&I skills training or a defined steering committee role, will be deemed non-responsive and excluded from review.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the NIH’s ASSIST or Grants.gov systems, ensuring compliance with all guidelines. Late applications will not be accepted, and applicants are encouraged to apply early to correct any submission errors. For further information or pre-application guidance, applicants are advised to contact NIDCD program officers, as all submissions require a permission-to-submit letter.