Current Funding Announcements

Hearing Health Foundation (HHF)'s 2021 Emerging Research Grants (ERG)

  PAR-18-533: NIDCD Research Grants for Translating Basic Research into Clinical Tools (R01- Clinical Trial Optional)

Posted December 2017, expires February 23, 2021

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-18-533.html

The objective of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to provide support for research studies that translate basic research findings into better clinical tools for human health. The application should seek to translate basic behavioral or biological research findings, which are known to be directly connected to a human clinical condition, to a practical clinical impact. Tools or technologies advanced through this FOA must overcome existing obstacles and should provide improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease process. For the purposes of this FOA, the basic science advancement must have previously demonstrated potential for clinical impact and the connection to a human clinical condition must be clearly established. The scope of this FOA allows for a range of activities encouraging the translation of basic research findings to practical impact on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of deafness and other communication disorders. This FOA is not intended for outcomes/health services research, the extension of ongoing clinical studies, the optimization of current clinical protocols, or

pre-translational studies (early stage proof of concept or developmental work premature to direct clinical relevance). Basic discovery research is not appropriate under this FOA.

PAR-19-159: Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Required)

  Posted January 2019, expires May 8, 2021

  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-19-159.html

Participating NIH component organizations include: NIBIB and NINDS

 The goal for a bioengineering research grant (BRG) is to foster the development of an innovative technology, model, technique, design,           or method that has the potential for significant impact on biomedical research by infusing principles and concepts from the quantitative           sciences. The purpose of this FOA is to encourage BRG applications that: 1) apply a multidisciplinary approach to the solution of a                   biomedical problem; and 2) integrate, optimize, validate, translate or otherwise accelerate the adoption of promising tools, methods               and techniques for a specific research or clinical problem in basic, translational, or clinical science and practice. Significant projects may           include, but are not limited to: validation and translation of promising tools for prevention, monitoring or intervention; development of             quantitative, predictive models of complex biological systems; integration and optimization of technologies that significantly increase  sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, efficiency, or throughput of measurements to address                     unsolved biological or medical questions; or engineering and testing of delivery systems, tissues, therapeutics, implants, and prosthetics           that may improve treatment and healthcare.

RFA-DC-19-001: NIDCD Hearing Healthcare for Adults: Improving Access and Affordability (R21/R33 Clinical Trials Optional)

Posted July 2018, expires June 5, 2021

    https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DC-19-001.html

This FOA requests research to increase accessible and affordable hearing health care (HHC). In this context, HHC refers broadly not only to hearing technology but also to the systematic and comprehensive hearing-related services involved in diagnosis, treatment, auditory rehabilitation, and counseling of individuals with hearing loss, as well as other services that collectively allow the individual to maximize his or her communication outcomes. The purpose of this FOA is to encourage research and increase infrastructure support leading to accessible and affordable hearing health care and improved outcomes. This includes research on the development of technologies (e.g., low-cost hearing aids, NIDCD open speech signal processing tools), screening (e.g., effectiveness in typical primary care settings), access and management through new delivery systems (e.g., telehealth, internet, kiosk, convenient care clinics), system barriers (e.g., availability of services, cost, location, insurance coverage, referral network) as well as behavioral research at the individual patient level (e.g., variables influencing one’s perceived need for HHC, patient outcomes). Solutions should be implementable and sustainable in settings

U.S. Military Academy Broad Agency Announcement - W911NF-20-S-0008: This BAA was released April 1, 2020, and is open until March 31, 2025. It seeks proposals for cutting- edge innovative research that could produce discoveries with significant impact to enable new and improved Army technologies and related operational capabilities in the areas of socio-cultural; information technology; ballistics, weapons and protections; energy and sustainability; materials, measurements, and facilities; unmanned systems and space; human support systems; and artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum technologies. The human support systems focus includes biomechanical engineering to enhance soldier readiness (human performance optimization, injury prediction/prevention, physical and cognitive augmentation, Return-to-Duty metrics, functional influence of prosthetics/exoskeletal devices) and wearable technologies and sensors to inform performance decisions (e.g., monitoring/assessment, injury prevention, recovery times). 

              See:  Military Academy BAA

NOT-DC-20-008: NIDCD is Interested in Supporting Research on the Impact of

COVID-19 on Mission Specific Sensory and Communication Disorders

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) issued by the National Institute on Deafness and Other

Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (see: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DC20-008.html)

NIDCD invites applications for research on COVID-19 in relation to NIDCD’s scientific programs of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Given the early stage of COVID19 research, it is critical that there is a strong premise for research proposals submitted in response to this NOSI. When appropriate, NIDCD encourages multi-disciplinary approaches to move the research beyond in vitro and animal models. Areas of research encouraged through this NOSI include, but are not limited to:

• Short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the auditory, vestibular, or olfactory systems
• The prevalence, onset, and resolution of acquired deficits (i.e. HBTSVSL) among patients

  with COVID-19 across the lifespan and in association with various underlying genetic predispositions and health conditions

• Potential ototoxicity from therapeutics or vaccination related to COVID-19
• Worsening of communicative function because of physical distancing, sheltering in place,

  and wearing of protective personal equipment during mitigation of this infectious pandemic

• Telehealth service delivery to individuals with communication disorders
• Multidisciplinary collaborative teams including clinicians, basic biologists, geneticists,
  quantitative scientist, epidemiologists, or other researchers to study COVID-19 related
  human conditions and behaviors, bioethical considerations, health-service delivery,
  health services in low-resource areas, and health disparities within NIDCD mission areas

This notice applies to due dates on or after October 5, 2020 and subsequent receipt dates through September 8, 2022. Submit applications for this initiative using one of the following funding opportunity announcements or any reissues of these announcement through the expiration date of this notice: PA-18-334, PA-20-185, PA-20-184, PA-20-196, PA-20-195, PA-20-194, PA-19-270, PA-19-271, PA-19-273, PA-19-272.

For funding consideration, applicants must include “NOT-DC-20-008” (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form. Applications without this information in box 4B will not be considered for this initiative.

Scientific/Research Contact:

Bracie Watson, Jr. Ph.D.

NIDCD/Division of Scientific Programs

Telephone: 301-402-3458

Email: watsonb@nidcd.nih.gov

NOT-DC-20-007: Improving Outcomes for Disorders of Human Communication

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) issued by the National Institute on Deafness and Other

Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (see: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOTDC-20-007.html)

This NOSI seeks to encourage effectiveness and health services research for improved

outcomes in the prevention and treatment of disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice,

speech, and language.

NIDCD effectiveness research seeks to measure, evaluate, and/or improve patient-centered

outcomes following intervention for communication disorders. Effectiveness research seeks to

determine to what degree an intervention works in patients/populations in general, real-world

settings, such as in diverse populations and diverse provider and clinical practice settings.

Health Services Research examines the impact of the organization, financing, and management

of health care services on the delivery, quality, cost, access to and outcomes of such services,

including demographic, social, economic, and health system factors as they relate to providing

preventive, screening, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services and patient outcomes

of care. Research may focus on any/all of the different factors that impact access, utilization,

and quality as related to outcomes of health care services.

Applicants are encouraged to create collaborative teams which may include clinical experts not

only in the traditional NIDCD mission areas, but also in other medical specialties and health care

professions as well as experts in sociology, health services, health outcomes, economics,

biostatistics, public health, health care financing and organization, survey research,

psychometrics, epidemiology, and evaluation.

This notice applies to due dates on or after June 16, 2020 and subsequent receipt dates

through January 10 2022. Submit applications for this initiative using one of the following

funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) or any reissues of these announcement through

the expiration date of this notice: PA-18-334, PA-20-185, PA-20-184, PA-20-195, PA-20-194,

PAR-18-340, PA-19-272, PA-19-270, PA-19-273, PA-19-271.

For funding consideration, applicants must include “NOT-DC-20-007” (without quotation marks)

in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form. Applications without this

information in box 4B will not be considered for this initiative. For due dates after May 25,

2020, applicants must use "FORMS-F".

Scientific/Research Contact:

Kelly King, Au.D, Ph.D.

NIDCD/Division of Scientific Programs

Telephone: 301-402-3458

Email: kingke@nidcd.nih.gov

FY21 Joint Incentive Fund:FY21 Request for Joint Incentive Fund (JIF) Proposals

Description:FY 2021 JIF program cycle are now being accepted. Proposals that support creative coordination and sharing initiatives at the facility, intraregional, and nationwide levels will be considered. The proposals should have a goal of improving the access to, and quality and cost effectiveness of the health care provided by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Military Health System (MHS) to the beneficiaries of both Departments. Projects should be innovative DoD/VA joint sharing initiatives designated for use by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Military Health System (MHS) or for services or systems that facilitate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD):

*             Interoperability

*             Recapture purchased care

*             Improve quality

*             Drive cost savings at facilities

JIF funds should not be used: to hire military personnel, for major construction or IT systems, to recover patient reimbursement costs, or for project sustainment purposes.

*             Submit signed final proposals electronically to Ms. Catherine Simpson (catherine.a.simpson.civ@mail.mil) and Mr. Michael Gardner (michael.gardner2@va.gov). Include in the submission a business case template and accompanying spend plan spreadsheet. Additional supporting documents may be attached as necessary.

*             DoD Only: Enter all signed final proposals into the MHS Request Submissions Portal at https://info.health.mil/SitePages/mhsCAR_submit.aspx for Defense Health Agency (DHA) review and DHA Director signature. Please reference the JIF Submission Instructions on how to submit JIF Proposals to DHA.

*             VHA Only: Please visit MAX.gov for more information about the JIF program at https://login.max.gov/cas/login?bypassMaxsso=true. Please contact Mr. Gardner for access.

               Proposals due: August 31, 2020

                Maximum period of performance: 2 years             

For more information, see: https://www.va.gov/VADODHEALTH/Joint_Incentive_Fund_JIF.asp

Questions: Ms. Catherine Simpson at (703) 275-6073,catherine.a.simpson.civ@mail.mil

RFA-AG-21-011: Central and Peripheral Control of Balance in Older Adults (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

NIH - National Institute on Aging (NIA) and National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Description: This Funding Opportunity Announcement invites applications that propose basic and/or clinical studies to investigate central and peripheral control of balance in older adults and/or in 
relevant animal models. Given the multifactorial nature of balance, a team science approach is highly encouraged. Thus, applications should include collaborations across various disciplines 
relevant to balance (e.g. gerontology, neurology, neuroscience, audiology, otolaryngology, physical therapy, biomechanics, and/or biophysics).  Possible research studies of interest may include:

• Conducting population-based studies to understand the genetic, physiologic, neuromotor, 
behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that contribute to balance disorders
• Using technologies (e.g. brain stimulation, wearable sensors, virtual reality, real-time 
biofeedback) to better understand, diagnose, monitor, and/or intervene on the central and 
peripheral balance system
• Exploring the potential for use of innovative treatments (e.g. gene therapy, vestibular implants 
and prostheses) for vestibular impairment and balance disorders

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): September 02, 2020

Application Due Date(s): October 02, 2020
Maximum Project Period: 5 years

Maximum Amount: $500,000/year
Additional Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-21-011.html

Description: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages research grant applications 
directed toward developing next-generation human cell-derived microphysiological systems (MPS) and 
related assays that replicate complex nervous system architectures and physiology with improved 
fidelity over current capabilities. The purpose of this FOA is to stimulate basic 
technology-focused research to develop next-generation human cell-derived microphysiological 
systems (MPS) and related assays with improved fidelity to complex human brain, spinal cord, and/or 
sensory end organ circuit physiology, which will ultimately facilitate analysis of higher order 
functional deficits relevant to complex nervous system diseases.

This FOA encourages innovative approaches that are first-in-class, those that propose to 
substantially exceed the state of the art in tissue organization and function. These can be high 
risk, high impact designs. Additionally, this FOA encourages approaches that aim to improve 
robustness and reproducibility of physiologically relevant circuit or supportive systems-level 
measures.

• PAR-20-055: R01 Research Project Grant – this mechanism is intended to provide support for the 
further development of projects where preliminary data supports the feasibility of the line of 
investigation. Applicants without preliminary data may wish to apply to the companion R21 FOA.

• PAR-20-082: R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant – this grant mechanism is intended to 
encourage exploratory/developmental research by providing support for the early and conceptual 
stages of project development. High risk/high reward projects that lack preliminary data may be 
most appropriate for this FOA. Applicants with preliminary data may wish to apply to the companion 
R01 mechanism.

NIH Institutes and Centers participating in this FOA have specific interests and priorities, 
including:

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
• The institute is interested in a broad variety of approaches and technology/methodology 
development. Some examples, but not limited to, would be technical development of microarchitecture 
reagents including appropriate buffers, media, polymers and synthetics to generate improved 3D 
platforms and microenvironments to facilitate cellular attachment, proliferation, in areas of 
differentiation or regeneration of taste buds, hearing/balance sensory epithelium, or vocal folds; 
experimental improvements of drug assessment studies, high throughput replication and comparative 
analyses of laryngeal, chemosensory and auditory/vestibular function (e.g., ototoxicity, noise or 
drug trauma, and age-related sensory loss); experimental improvements to implantable chip or scaffold-derived

If you would like to submit a grant for consideration of funding in 2020-2021, a LETTER OF INTENT and BIOSKETCH, including details regarding other existing support, must be submitted by November 1st of the year prior to funding. The next funding cycle begins July 1, 2020. The letter of intent must state the desired grant mechanism for the proposal (CSA, Fellowship grant, Research Grant), the Principal Investigator and Institution(s), a working title and abstract and include Specific Aims and a proposal summary (2 page limit on abstract and aims).

Announcement: Funding

Title:  ARMY RESEARCH OFFICE BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

Type/Mechanism: Grant
Funding Opportunity Number: W911NF-17-S-0002-04

Application Open:  1 April, 2017 – 31 March 2022

Notes:  (See below for additional info)

Description: ARO is focused exclusively on extramural basic research, and is responsible for the vast majority of ARL’s extramural research programs and funding. Competencies are structured to create discovery, innovation, and transition of technologies leading to Power Projection Superiority, Information Supremacy, Lethality and Protection Superiority, and Soldier Performance Augmentation for Strategic Land Power Dominance. Proposals are expected to be for cutting-edge innovative research that could produce discoveries that would have a significant impact on enabling new and improved Army operational capabilities and related technologies. Specific research areas and topics of interest should be viewed as suggestive, rather than limiting. ARO is always interested in considering new innovative research concepts of relevance to the Army. Additional information about ARO areas of interest can be found on the ARL website:

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=29.

Research areas of interest include

·        Life Sciences (Neurophysiology of Cognition/Multisensory Synthesis)

·        Intelligent Systems for Improved Decision Making (sensing, perception, situation awareness)

·        Biomathematics (modeling sensory processing, disease processes)

·        International Opportunities: Human Dimension, Big Data

This Funding Opportunity Announcement is a BAA. It is continuously open for a 5-year period, from 01 April 2017 closing 31 March 2022. Proposals will be considered until and including the closing date of this announcement.

There are no specific funding restrictions associated with this BAA. The proposed duration for which support is requested should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed activity.

For more information, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=292877

Announcement: Grant
Title:  NIDCD Clinical Research Center Grant (P50/Clinical Trial Optional)
Award Organization: NICD
Type/Mechanism: Grant
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-19-137
Award Amount: $1.5M/year 
Pre-proposals Due:  7 Jan, 2019
Full App Due: February 6, 2019; June 6, 2019; October 4, 2019; February 6, 2020; June 8, 2020; October 6, 2020; February 8, 2021; June 6, 2021; October 6, 2021


Notes: 
Description: The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) invites applications for Clinical Research Center Grants designed to advance the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of human communication disorders.  For this announcement, Clinical Research is defined as research involving individuals with communication disorders or data/tissues from individuals with a communication disorder. Examples of such research include but are not limited to, studies of the prevention, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, management or epidemiology of a disease or disorder of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language.

Applications may propose a clinical trial but are not required (optional).  

Proposed research must meet 4 essential criteria:

1.  Must be clinical as defined above.
2.  Must have a well-defined central unifying theme consisting of three or more research projects with 1 or more supporting cores as appropriate; one core must be an administrative core.
3.  Each project must be unambiguously related to the central unifying theme. Synergistic and substantial interactions among the projects should be evident.
4.  Must provide multidisciplinary approaches to the central theme, defined as having research projects representing different disciplines, approaches and expertise. 

Additional Information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-19-137.html