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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled NIDCD Research Grants for Translating Basic Research into Clinical Tools (R01 - Clinical Trials Optional).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 18 533.

Which federal agency and institute are offering this program?

This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity, associated with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).

What is the main purpose of this FOA?

The core purpose is to move promising discoveries from basic research into practical clinical tools that improve human health, specifically by supporting projects that translate fundamental findings into approaches that can be used in clinical settings.

What does "translating basic research into clinical tools" mean in this announcement?

Within this FOA, translation means bridging the gap between laboratory insights and tools clinicians can realistically use. Projects should go beyond purely mechanistic or exploratory work and instead be positioned to deliver clinically relevant products or methods.

What kinds of outcomes or deliverables does the FOA emphasize?

The FOA emphasizes practical, clinically relevant deliverables with a clear pathway to use in clinical environments. Proposed outcomes should be positioned for tangible clinical impact, rather than remaining at an early-stage discovery level.

Does my project need a clear connection to a clinical problem?

Yes. The FOA emphasizes that the link to a clinical problem must be explicitly established, and the project should make a clear, direct connection to a clinical condition within the NIDCD mission space.

What clinical areas does this opportunity target?

Projects must relate to clinical conditions within the NIDCD mission space and aim to materially affect the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of communication disorders.

Is this funding limited to a narrow set of research topics?

The scope is described as broad, as long as the work is aimed at translation and is expected to materially affect clinical practice in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of communication disorders.

What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The activity is structured as an R01 research project grant.

Are clinical trials required under this FOA?

No. Under this announcement, clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component when appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required for all projects.

Does this FOA support projects that include clinical trial components?

Yes. The FOA allows applicants to include a clinical trial component when it is appropriate to the translational plan, while still keeping trials optional.

What type of teams is this FOA designed for?

This FOA is best suited for teams where basic scientists partner closely with clinicians and clinical researchers to convert fundamental findings into real-world clinical approaches.

Is a collaborative partnership between basic scientists and clinicians important?

Yes. The core intent highlights close partnership between basic scientists and clinicians/clinical researchers as part of a genuinely translational approach.

What stage of research is this opportunity aiming to fund?

It is intended for projects that already have strong basic science findings in hand and a credible plan to translate those findings into clinically meaningful tools with potential for implementation and validation in real clinical environments.

Who can apply (in general terms)?

Eligibility is described as expansive and includes many organization types that commonly apply for NIH funding, across government, higher education, nonprofit, for-profit, small business, tribal, and other eligible entities under NIH rules.

Which government entities are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments.

Are school districts eligible?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, as described in the provided information.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations other than small businesses and also small businesses.

Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and also Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The announcement also notes eligibility for tribal governments other than federally recognized ones.

Are housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights eligibility for U.S. territories or possessions.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement specifically highlights non-U.S. (foreign) organizations as an eligible applicant category.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights faith-based or community-based organizations as eligible applicant categories.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are federal government agencies eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights eligible federal government agencies as an eligible applicant category.

What is the funding instrument?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is health.

What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?

The CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity is 93.173.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 21, 2017.

What is the closing date listed in the provided information?

The listed original closing date in the provided data is February 22, 2021.

Does the provided information specify an award ceiling?

No. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling.

Does the provided information state the expected number of awards?

No. The source information provided does not specify the expected number of awards.

Where would applicants typically look for budget size and project period expectations?

Based on the provided description, applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA and NIH budget guidance for the relevant year to understand likely award sizes, project period expectations, and any institute-specific funding considerations.

What makes a project a good fit for this FOA?

A strong fit is a genuinely translational project with a clear clinical connection in the NIDCD mission space, developed by a team integrating basic and clinical expertise, and aimed at producing clinically useful tools with a pathway toward implementation, validation, and real-world use.