The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has reissued the funding opportunity “Collaborative Science to Achieve Disruptive Innovations in Dental, Oral and Craniofacial (DOC) Research (RM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed),” to support transdisciplinary research teams in advancing the DOC fields. This NOFO encourages highly collaborative projects focused on ambitious scientific questions within NIDCR’s mission, which require diverse expertise beyond the capacity of individual investigators. Teams must propose projects that push conceptual and technical boundaries, with a unified five-year objective and measurable outcomes or deliverables. NIDCR particularly emphasizes research that could transform existing DOC paradigms, with focus areas including non-opioid pain therapies, tissue regeneration, behavioral health, and health disparity-reducing technologies.

Each application must include a team of three to six Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) who bring distinct yet complementary expertise necessary for addressing the chosen DOC problem. Early career investigators are encouraged as part of these teams. Along with a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), applications require a Team Management Plan that clearly details team organization, shared responsibilities, resource-sharing strategies, and conflict resolution approaches. The PEDP, a critical requirement, should outline actionable strategies to enhance diversity and inclusivity within the team, and will be considered as part of the application’s scientific merit during the review.

Applicants may request up to $750,000 annually in direct costs, with a maximum project duration of five years. The NIDCR anticipates funding two to three projects annually, depending on available funds. Eligible applicants include a wide range of higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, local governments, and tribal organizations, though non-U.S. entities may not apply. Registrations in SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov are mandatory for all applicants before submission. Furthermore, PDs/PIs are required to devote significant time to the project, estimated at 20-40% of a full-time appointment, underscoring the collaborative and resource-intensive nature of these projects.

The application process involves several steps, beginning with a letter of intent (due October 20, 2024) and concluding with the full application, due November 19, 2024. Each project should demonstrate a cohesive program structure, with a clear timeline and milestones achievable within the five-year period. Detailed budget justification is also necessary, reflecting the project’s complexity and scope. Importantly, NIDCR advises applicants to consult program staff at least eight weeks before submission to ensure alignment with NOFO goals and priorities.

Reviewers will assess applications based on significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and environment. They will also consider the PEDP’s potential impact on the project’s scientific merit, the effectiveness of the Team Management Plan, and other compliance aspects like data sharing. Projects must focus on achieving non-clinical trial-based goals that support the DOC fields, with deliverables such as pre-clinical treatment models or best-practice publications. Exclusions include projects outside the NIDCR mission, applications missing required plans, or projects that lack a minimum of three PDs/PIs.

This NOFO represents an opportunity for applicants to engage in pioneering DOC research that leverages team science for innovation. Final funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, alignment with NIDCR priorities, and available funds, with award announcements anticipated following a multi-stage review process ending in July 2025.