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.Apply for RFA DC 19 001
- 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.
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FAQs: NIDCD Hearing Healthcare for Adults: Improving Access and Affordability (R21/R33 Clinical Trials Optional) - RFA-DC-19-001
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity administered by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) focused on improving how adults with mild to moderate hearing loss obtain and pay for hearing health care. The emphasis is on research that leads to hearing care that is easier to access, more affordable, and more effective in real-world settings.
What is the main goal of the program?
The core goal is to spur new research directions and build the research infrastructure needed in emerging areas that can directly improve hearing health care access, affordability, and outcomes for adults. Projects are expected to be practical and outcomes-oriented, with aims that clearly connect to improvements in hearing care delivery, uptake, or cost.
What population and condition does the FOA focus on?
The FOA targets adult patients with mild to moderate hearing loss, specifically in the context of hearing health care delivery and affordability.
What kinds of projects are expected to be competitive under this FOA?
Based on the description provided, the FOA is looking for practical projects that can drive real-world improvements in hearing health care. That includes research and development that improves access and affordability and supports more effective care for adults. Applications should be outcomes-oriented and designed so progress can be assessed clearly through milestones.
What funding mechanism does this FOA use?
This FOA uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Phased Innovation mechanism, with two stages: an R21 phase followed by a potential transition to an R33 phase, based on whether the project meets predefined milestones.
How does the R21 phase work in this program?
The R21 phase can last up to two years and is intended for early, developmental, and feasibility work. During this phase, investigators may generate preliminary data, test concepts, refine methods, or set up the operational foundation needed for a larger effort. A central requirement is that the R21 includes measurable milestones.
What are "measurable milestones" and why are they required?
Measurable milestones are concrete, objective benchmarks proposed by the applicant that can be used to judge whether the R21 work has progressed enough to justify moving to the R33 phase. They are required because the R21-to-R33 transition includes a decision point that depends on whether these milestones are met.
What happens if the R21 milestones are met?
If the milestones are met, the project may transition to the R33 phase, which provides expanded support for research and development for up to four additional years.
Does meeting milestones guarantee a transition to the R33 phase?
No. The FOA states that if milestones are met, the project may transition to R33. This indicates the transition is possible based on milestone achievement, but not described as automatic or guaranteed in the summary provided.
How long can the R33 phase last?
The R33 phase can provide expanded support for up to four additional years after the R21 phase, subject to the overall project period limit.
What is the maximum total project period for R21/R33 combined?
The total project period across both phases cannot exceed five years. Applicants are expected to present a tightly integrated timeline showing how the R21 work will mature into the R33 effort within this limit.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trials Optional." Applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials, but a clinical trial is not required.
Can an application include a clinical trial?
Yes. Because clinical trials are optional, applicants are allowed to include clinical trials if that approach fits their proposed aims and milestone-driven phased plan.
Is the milestone-driven structure only important for clinical trial applications?
No. The description indicates that regardless of whether a clinical trial is included, applications are expected to be milestone-driven and structured so progress can be assessed transparently, especially at the R21-to-R33 transition.
Who can apply (in general terms)?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including governmental bodies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, as well as small businesses.
Are U.S. state, county, and local governments eligible?
Yes. State governments, county governments, and city or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are special district governments eligible?
Yes. Special district governments are explicitly included in the eligible applicant types.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible. Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are also listed as eligible. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are also included.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are specific categories of minority-serving institutions highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for 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).
Are nonprofits eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly mentioned among eligible applicant categories.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included among the eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible.
Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the primary applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations or foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization.
Can international collaborators or components be included in a proposal?
Yes, in limited ways. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. 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.
Which NIH institute administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by NIH through the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
What is the funding category and CFDA number listed?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding category, with CFDA 93.173.
What is the FOA identifier?
The FOA identifier provided is RFA-DC-19-001.
What was the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed was 2021-06-04.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on 2018-07-03.
Does the summary specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The information provided states that the summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
What are the key expectations applicants should address in their proposal structure?
Based on the summary, applicants should: (1) focus on adult hearing health care for mild to moderate hearing loss; (2) prioritize access and affordability; (3) propose a phased R21-to-R33 plan; (4) define measurable R21 milestones that support a decision on whether to transition; and (5) present an integrated timeline that fits within the five-year total project limit.
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