Open for applications

Federal funding opportunity

Early-Stage Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health

  • OpportunityRFA-DC-26-001
  • Agency codeHHS-NIH11
  • CategoryDiscretionary (D)
300 days until applications close Thu, June 17, 2027
PostedFeb 5, 2026 ClosesJun 17, 2027
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Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.

$1M Est. program funding
N/a Award ceiling
N/a Award floor
N/a Expected no. of awards

Program summary

Synopsis

The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) intends to re-issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO, prior funding opportunity RFA-DC-24-008 to solicit applications for research on early-stage dissemination and implementation (D&I) in the NIDCD mission areas of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Much research is devoted to developing evidence-based innovations (EBIs) that improve a person"s health and quality of life. To impact people"s lives, EBIs need to be adopted in clinical practice and everyday life. Unfortunately, wide-scale adoption of EBIs is lengthy and rare. Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is the field of research that seeks to close the gap between research and practice. Dissemination research is defined as the scientific study of the targeted distribution of information and materials about EBI to a specific audience (e.g., practitioners, patients, policymakers). The intent is to understand how best to communicate and integrate knowledge associated with a given EBI. Implementation Science refers to a broader array of active and planned efforts to integrate evidence into practice. Implementation research focuses on understanding why clinical and community settings are not adopting and sustaining a particular EBI. In turn, implementation research uses this understanding of barriers and facilitators to develop and evaluate different strategies (or collections of strategies) to increase adoption and integration of an EBI into practice. Many fields have applied D&I research theories, approaches, and outcome measures to improve adoption and sustainment of EBIs. This funding opportunity aims to support early-stage D&I research in NIDCD mission areas of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Resulting findings should set a sufficient foundation for a high-quality, D&I focused R01 in NIDCD mission areas. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the R21 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into D&I research in NIDCD mission areas are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in D&I and NIDCD mission areas will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.

Timeline

Key dates

  • February 5, 2026
    Opportunity posted to grants.gov
  • August 21, 2026
    Today — 300 days of the window remain
  • June 17, 2027
    Applications close
  • August 16, 2027
    Opportunity archived

Who may apply

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:

  • State governments
  • County governments
  • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
  • Independent school districts
  • City or township governments
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  • For profit organizations other than small businesses
  • Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • Small businesses
  • Special district governments
  • Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
  • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Additional info on eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. This new requirement was effective, May 1, 2025.Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.
Cost sharing or matching
Not required

Awarding agency

Additional information

Agency name
National Institutes of Health
Grantor contact
National Institutes of Health
301-402-2541
NIDCD_Implemenation_Science@nih.gov

Assistance listing

CFDA program(s)

  • 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders

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