The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), plans to publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "NIDCD Research Grants for Translating Basic Research into Clinical Practice (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between foundational research and its application in clinical settings to improve human health in areas related to deafness and communication disorders. The FOA will use the R01 activity code, which supports mature research projects.

The purpose of this FOA is to support research that translates peer-reviewed, published basic research findings into practical, clinical applications within the NIDCD mission areas. These areas include hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Projects may involve developing and testing new diagnostic tools, treatments, or preventive strategies derived from basic research findings. The goal is to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by communication disorders.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, public and Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. This broad eligibility invites participation from diverse sectors to advance research translation.

The FOA is expected to be published on December 18, 2024, with applications due by February 13, 2025. Awards are anticipated to be announced on December 1, 2025, with projects commencing on the same date. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin planning and developing collaborative and responsive research projects that align with the FOA's objectives.

Evaluation criteria will likely include the significance of the proposed research, the potential for the findings to be effectively translated into clinical practice, the innovation of the approach, and the qualifications of the research team. Detailed requirements for submission, including formatting, supporting documentation, and budgetary considerations, will be outlined in the official FOA.

The estimated total program funding has not been disclosed, but the award ceiling for individual grants is $500,000. The program expects to fund approximately three awards, making the opportunity highly competitive. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants.

This FOA provides a significant opportunity to advance the translation of basic research findings into clinical solutions within NIDCD mission areas. Prospective applicants should monitor Grants.gov and related NIDCD communications for updates and detailed instructions as the publication date approaches.