NIDCD Research Grants for Translating Basic Research into Clinical Tools (R01) | PAR 17 184

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NIDCD Research Grants for Translating Basic Research into Clinical Tools (R01) opportunity?

This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 17 184) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). It supports translational research projects that take promising basic research discoveries and move them toward practical clinical tools that can be used in real-world clinical settings to improve human health.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to translate well-founded basic research findings into clinically meaningful outputs, such as tools, methods, or approaches that can improve diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of conditions related to communication disorders. Projects are expected to show a clear, feasible path from discovery to clinical use.

What type of research is this FOA trying to fund?

The FOA targets translational research at the intersection of laboratory science and clinical practice. It is intended for projects that go beyond generating new knowledge and instead produce outcomes that can be used in clinical settings (for example, clinically usable tools, methods, approaches, or other practical outputs).

What scientific areas does this opportunity focus on?

The scientific focus is on communication disorders, consistent with the NIDCD mission. Funded work is expected to contribute to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of clinically relevant conditions within that mission area.

Does the FOA require a clear connection to a clinical condition?

Yes. Applicants are expected to clearly establish a connection between the proposed research and a relevant clinical condition. The FOA emphasizes that proposals should not be basic research without a defined translational endpoint.

What does NIDCD mean by a "translational endpoint" in this program?

Based on the description provided, a translational endpoint is a practical, clinically usable outcome (such as a tool, method, or approach) that can meaningfully improve patient care or clinical decision-making related to communication disorders, rather than stopping at basic discovery.

What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which typically supports sizable, multi-year research projects with well-developed aims, strong preliminary rationale, and a detailed plan for execution.

What is the funding instrument type and activity category?

The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is health.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.173.

Is an award ceiling or expected number of awards provided in the summary?

No. The information provided does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

What was the original closing date for this FOA?

The original closing date listed was 2017-12-21.

When was this FOA record created?

The record creation date provided is 2017-02-28.

If someone wants to apply now, what should they do about the FOA date?

Because the closing date shown is from 2017, interested applicants would normally need to check whether the FOA has been reissued, replaced, or updated before planning an application.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA permits applications from a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, provided they are not institutions of higher education.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible. Small businesses are also eligible.

Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicants.

Can tribal organizations that are not federally recognized apply?

Yes. The FOA permits applications from Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments and also notes eligibility for Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or included as eligible?

Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types, including 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); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among the highlighted eligible applicant types.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included among the highlighted eligible applicant types.

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

Yes. The announcement notes that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities can apply when appropriate.

Are federal government agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA highlights eligible federal government agencies among the additional eligible applicant types.

What kind of team or collaboration does this FOA expect?

The intent is to bring basic scientists together with clinicians and clinical scientists to jointly design and carry out projects. The path from discovery to clinical use should be clear, justified, and feasible.

What distinguishes a strong fit for this FOA versus a basic research proposal?

A strong fit is a project that builds directly on basic science and moves toward a clinically meaningful tool or approach, with an explicit translational pathway and outcomes that could realistically influence diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. The FOA emphasizes that projects should not remain purely experimental or end at knowledge generation without a defined clinical endpoint.

What kinds of outcomes are expected from funded projects?

Funded projects are expected to deliver clinically meaningful outputs related to communication disorders, such as tools, methods, approaches, or other clinically usable outputs that can improve patient care or clinical decision-making.