NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 - Clinical Trials Optional) | PAR 18 487

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 487

The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21 - Clinical Trials Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-487, is a discretionary NIH grant designed to help early-stage investigators who are starting to build an independent research program. It supports both basic and clinical research and is specifically meant to generate the kind of preliminary data that positions a Program Director/Principal Investigator (or multiple PDs/PIs) to move on to a larger, more definitive R01 application. A key restriction is that the award cannot be used to support thesis or dissertation research, so proposals need to be clearly framed as independent, career-establishing projects rather than student degree requirements.

The research scope must fit within the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) mission areas, meaning projects should focus on biomedical and behavioral science questions related to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. Within that mission space, the R21 mechanism is intended for exploratory, early-stage, or pilot-style work. The announcement highlights that supported projects can take several forms, including secondary analyses of existing datasets, small and self-contained research studies, development or refinement of research methodologies, translational research efforts, outcomes research, and the development of new research technologies. Regardless of the specific project type, the central expectation is that the work will reduce uncertainty and fill key evidence gaps so the investigator can credibly propose a subsequent full-scale R01.

Clinical trials are optional under this opportunity, which means applicants may propose studies that include clinical trial elements if appropriate, but they are not required to do so. This flexibility allows early career investigators to pursue either foundational laboratory or behavioral work, or patient- and population-oriented studies, as long as the aims remain aligned with NIDCD priorities and are realistic for an R21-style project intended to produce actionable preliminary findings.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other applicant types. The opportunity also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, certain Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign eligibility is limited in a way that is typical for many NIH opportunities. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations or foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed when they meet the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition, meaning a U.S. applicant organization can include a foreign component in the project when it is scientifically justified and properly structured within NIH policy.

From the opportunity metadata provided, the agency is the National Institutes of Health, the activity category is Health, and the CFDA number is 93.173. The source listing notes an award ceiling of $100,000 and an original closing date of 2020-10-27, indicating the specific version of the announcement referenced is not current, though the program concept and requirements described reflect the stated intent of the mechanism: to support early career investigators doing NIDCD-relevant pilot or exploratory work that builds a strong foundation for an R01-level application.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 - Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-10-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 18 487

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