National Institute on Deafness

and Other Communication Disorders

NIDCD . . .Improving the lives of people with communication disorders

How to Apply for 

an NIDCD Grant

how to apply for an nidcd grant 1

National Institute on Deafness

and Other Communication Disorders

NIDCD . . .Improving the lives of people with communication disorders

How to Apply for an NIDCD Grant

2 Introduction

3 What research mechanisms are available?

4 How do I apply?

5 What happens after I apply? 

Wher e does my application go?

6 How long does the process take?

7 What training and career development 

mechanisms are available? 

8 Who can I contact at the NIDCD for 

guidance?
2

national institute on deafness and other communication disorders

Introduction

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication 

Disorders (NIDCD) supports and conducts research and research 

training in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, 

balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. It does this 

through a program of grants and contracts in basic, clinical, and 

translational research. The NIDCD supports research that leads 

to scientific discovery and uses a wide range of biomedical and 

behavioral research approaches. NIDCD-supported research has 

made important contributions to the body of knowledge needed 

to help people with communication disorders and to advance 

our understanding of all aspects of human communication. The 

NIDCD helps scientists at all stages of their careers—from high 

school students to senior scientists. From a small feasibility study 

to a large clinical trial, the NIDCD offers a variety of funding 

mechanisms that support a broad range of research ideas. 

Brief descriptions of the research mechanisms that the NIDCD

offers follow. For more complete descriptions, requirements, and

information about additional opportunities, please visit the NIDCD 

website at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov. 

The NIDCD is one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within 

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDCD-funded 

research is conducted in public and private institutions across the 

country and on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md. 
3

What research mechanisms are available?

Investigator-Initiated Research Grant (R01)

The R01 supports original research proposed by principal 

investigators. R01s represent the largest category of NIDCD 

support. R01s are awarded to organizations on behalf of 

individual principal investigators based on strong proposals 

and investigator competence. Applicants need pilot data and a 

publication record. 

The NIDCD Small Grant Program (R03)

The NIDCD R03 supports pilot studies for newly independent 

investigators and advanced postdoctoral fellows within 

seven years of completing their terminal degree (excluding 

years of clinical training) and as they transition to research 

independence. 

Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) (R15)

The R15 supports research in educational institutions that 

provide baccalaureate training for a significant number of our 

nation’s research scientists, but which, historically, have not 

been major recipients of NIH support. 

High Impact/Exploratory Grant (R21)

The R21 supports exploratory and developmental research 

projects for the early and conceptual stages of research. 

Applications for R21 awards should describe projects distinct 

from those supported through the traditional R01 mechanism. 

Clinical Research Center Grant (P50)

The P50 supports an investigator-initiated research program in 

which a team of investigators works in a clearly defined clinical 

area of mutual scientific interest. The subjects, data, or tissue 

being studied must represent a population with a human 

communication disorder. 
4

Small Business Innovation Research Program Grant (R43/R44)

The R43/R44 provides support for research and development of 

commercial products. 

Small Business Technology Transfer Program Grant (R41/R42)

The R41/R42 supports the development of commercial projects 

by collaboration between small businesses and research 

institutions. 

Other Opportunities

The NIDCD offers additional mechanisms and provides 

announcements of initiatives designed to stimulate science in 

promising or needed areas. Please visit the NIDCD website for 

more information. 

How do I apply?

Follow these four important steps to apply. 

1. Contact the NIDCD.

Talk about your idea with the NIDCD staff member who is 

responsible for the scientific area of your research. These 

scientists, called program officers, are listed at the end of this 

booklet. They will be able to help answer your questions. You 

also will want to review the NIDCD Strategic Plan on the NIDCD 

website to learn about research priorities of the Institute. 

2. Register in the NIH eRA Commons.

The NIH eRA Commons is a secure meeting place on the 

Internet where research organizations and grantees 

electronically receive and transmit information about the 

administration of biomedical and behavioral research grants. 

Applicants electronically access the status of their applications, 

and grantees access the status of their awards, submit reports, 

and make requests. 

For information about registering, go to the “Forms 

and Deadlines” page on the NIH Office of Extramural 

Research website at http://grants.nih.gov. 

3. Access current application guidelines. 

Visit the funding section of the NIDCD website to select the 

appropriate grant mechanism for your research goals. There, 

you will also find additional information about each program 

area and detailed contact information for the NIDCD staff. 
5

4. Submit your application, noting all deadlines

and requirements.

The SF 424 (Research & Related) grant application form is used

for electronic submission and has largely replaced the paper

application forms. However, standard paper forms, such as

PHS 398 and PHS 416, are still used for some types of grant

applications.

To respond to a Funding Opportunity Announcement, you

must submit your application electronically. NIH has developed

Parent Announcements for use by applicants who wish to

submit what were formerly termed investigator initiated or

unsolicited applications.

Use the electronic application package found on the “Parent

Announcement” page on the NIH Office of Extramural

Research website at http://grants.nih.gov.

The NIDCD and the NIH encourage you to describe your

research in terms that are easily understood by reviewers,

scientists, Congress, and the public. Communicate the intent

and value of your research by using clear and succinct

language in titles, abstracts, and statements of public health

relevance in your NIH grant application. Once funded, these

parts of your application are available to Congress and the

public via the NIH’s RePORTER website.

For writing examples and tips, see the Grants Process

Overview section on the NIH website at http://grants.nih.gov.

Remember to work closely with your institution’s sponsored

research office as you develop your application. Once you

apply, be certain that you see your submitted application in

your NIH eRA Commons account.

Should you have problems in submitting, contact NIH Grants

Information staff by e-mail at grantsinfo@od.nih.gov.

What happens after I apply? Where does my 

application go?

After you successfully submit your application, it is assigned to 

both an initial review group, called a study section, and to an NIH 

Institute. The assignment is based on the scientific emphasis of the 

proposed research, as well as the expertise in each study section. 

Assignment to a study section is independent of assignment to an 

Institute. 
6

The Scientific Review Officer of the study section then assigns 

your application to reviewers. These reviewers will evaluate your 

application to determine:

n Significance of the problem addressed 

n Experience of the investigator 

n Level of innovation 

n Appropriateness of approach 

n Scientific environment 

If your proposal is deemed to be in the upper half of the 

applications received, the application will be given an impact 

score. It may also receive a percentile score based upon its scientific 

merit and how it ranks within the larger group of applications 

reviewed in that group. Principal investigators can retrieve a 

summary statement of their review comments and scores from the 

NIH eRA Commons. 

Scored applications receive a second level of review by the 

National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NDCD) 

Advisory Council. The council is a committee of scientists and 

knowledgeable public members who provide the NIDCD with 

programmatic and policy advice about its programs. NDCD council 

members evaluate the fairness and appropriateness of an initial 

review and provide additional advice to the NIDCD staff. Once 

the NDCD council approves an application, the NIDCD makes final 

funding decisions based on scientific merit, program relevance, 

and available funds. 

Of the grants submitted to the NIDCD in one year, typically about 

one-quarter are funded. 

Note: Funding of grants is based upon merit and relevance, not 

upon any predetermined allocation to a program area. 

How long does the process take?

The typical grant application takes at least nine months from the 

time the application is received until the grant award is made. 

For fellowship applications, the process often takes less time. 
7

What training and career development 

mechanisms are available?

The NIDCD offers several training programs, including those 

listed below. 

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards 

(F31/F32)

Provides up to five years of predoctoral support or up to three 

years of postdoctoral support. 

Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08/K23)

Fosters the development of highly promising clinician-scientists 

into independent investigators who integrate fundamental 

research or patient-oriented research into their clinical practice. 

Research Career Transition Award (K99/R00)

Provides dual-phase support to nurture postdoctoral-level 

scholars to the independent investigator stage. 

For more information about the full spectrum of training 

program opportunities and eligibility requirements, read 

Launching Your NIDCD Research Career, available in print and 

on the NIDCD website.
8

Who can I contact at the NIDCD for guidance?

The Division of Scientific Programs manages the extramural research 

and the research training portfolios of grants and contracts for the 

NIDCD. Whatever your level of training need or career stage, there 

is a scientific program officer who can be a key resource for you. The 

following scientific program officers are available to assist you:

Scientific Program Staff 

Director

Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D. 

Deputy Director

Amy M. Donahue, Ph.D. 

Hearing and Balance

Janet Cyr, Ph.D.

cyrj@nidcd.nih.gov

Presbycusis, noise-induced hearing loss, peripheral 

auditory and vestibular system 

Amy Donahue, Ph.D. 

donahuea@nidcd.nih.gov

Psychoacoustics, cochlear mechanics, cochlear implants, clinical 

assessment and management

Nancy L. Freeman, Ph.D.

freemann@nidcd.nih.gov

Cellular regeneration, development, transduction 

Roger Miller, Ph.D.

millerr@nidcd.nih.gov

Biomedical engineering, neural prostheses, tinnitus

Christopher Platt, Ph.D.

plattc@nidcd.nih.gov

Central auditory and vestibular pathways, temporal bone

Bracie Watson, Ph.D.

watsonb@nidcd.nih.gov

Genetics, otitis media, immune-mediated ear diseases

Clinical Trials

Gordon Hughes, M.D. 

hughesg@nidcd.nih.gov
Epidemiology and Statistics

Howard J. Hoffman, M.A. 

hoffmanh@nidcd.nih.gov

Language

Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D. 

cooperj@nidcd.nih.gov

Voice and Speech

Lana Shekim, Ph.D. 

shekiml@nidcd.nih.gov

Taste and Smell 

Susan Sullivan, Ph.D. 

Sullivas@nidcd.nih.gov

Training and Special Grants Programs

Training and Career Development (F, T, K)

Daniel A. Sklare, Ph.D. 

sklared@nidcd.nih.gov

Small Grant (R03)

Bracie Watson, Ph.D. 

watsonb@nidcd.nih.gov

AREA Grant (R15)

Christopher Platt, Ph.D. 

plattc@nidcd.nih.gov

High Impact/Exploratory Grant (R21)

Nancy L. Freeman, Ph.D. 

freemann@nidcd.nih.gov

Clinical Research Center (P50)

Lana Shekim, Ph.D. 

shekiml@nidcd.nih.gov

Small Business Innovation Research/

Small Business Technology Transfer

Roger L. Miller, Ph.D. 

millerr@nidcd.nih.gov

how to apply for an nidcd grant 9
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov 

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health®

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

National Institutes of Health 

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 

NIH Publication No. 13-3214

Updated September 2013