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

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DC 19 001

The NIDCD Hearing Healthcare for Adults: Improving Access and Affordability (R21/R33 Clinical Trials Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-DC-19-001) is a National Institutes of Health grant program focused on improving how adults with mild to moderate hearing loss obtain and pay for hearing health care. The core goal is to spur new research directions and build needed research infrastructure in emerging areas that can directly lead to hearing care that is easier to access, more affordable, and ultimately more effective for adult patients. Projects are expected to be practical and outcomes-oriented, with research aims that clearly connect to real-world improvements in hearing health care delivery, uptake, or cost.

This FOA uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Phased Innovation mechanism, meaning applicants propose a two-stage plan with a built-in decision point. The first stage is the R21 phase, which can last up to two years and is meant for early, developmental, or feasibility work. During this phase, investigators generate preliminary data, test concepts, refine methods, or establish the operational foundation needed for a larger effort. A key feature here is that the R21 phase must include measurable milestones. In other words, applicants need to define concrete, objective benchmarks that can be used to judge whether the project is ready to move forward. If the milestones are met, the project may transition to the second stage, the R33 phase, which provides expanded research and development support for up to four additional years. Across both phases, the total project period cannot exceed five years, so applicants need to plan a tightly integrated timeline that shows how early-stage work will rapidly mature into a broader implementation, evaluation, or development effort.

The announcement is labeled “Clinical Trials Optional,” which means applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials, but they are not required to do so. This flexibility supports a range of approaches, from technology development and service delivery innovation to pragmatic research evaluating new models of care. Regardless of whether a clinical trial is included, applications are expected to be milestone-driven and structured so that progress can be assessed transparently, especially at the transition between the R21 and R33 phases.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. A wide variety of academic institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, and both for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses can apply. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

International participation is limited in a specific way. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations or foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. In practice, this means a U.S. applicant can include certain international elements or collaborations when justified, even though a foreign institution cannot be the main applicant.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding category (CFDA 93.173) administered by NIH through NIDCD. The original closing date listed for the opportunity was 2021-06-04, and the opportunity record was created on 2018-07-03. While the summary does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the main structural constraints and expectations are clear: proposals should target adult hearing health care for mild to moderate hearing loss, prioritize access and affordability, use a phased R21-to-R33 plan, and define measurable R21 milestones that justify moving into a larger-scale R33 effort.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCD Hearing Healthcare for Adults: Improving Access and Affordability (R21/R33 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 2018-07-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA DC 19 001

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