Emerging Research Grants Program

The Hearing Health Foundation’s Emerging Research Grants (ERG) program is a competitive funding initiative designed to support innovative research in the field of hearing and balance. The Foundation, a prominent nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, is committed to preventing, treating, and curing hearing loss and related conditions through scientific discovery and public education. The ERG program encourages applications from both early-stage and established investigators, offering three specific award types with distinct scopes and eligibility criteria. For the 2026–2027 funding cycle, applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by December 5, 2025. Full proposals will be accepted by invitation only, based on the LOI review conducted by HHF’s Scientific Review Committee. There are three categories of awards: the Elizabeth M. Keithley, Ph.D. Early Stage Investigator Awards, the Focused Discovery Awards, and the Expanded Discovery Awards. The Keithley Awards support early-stage researchers who do not have more than $100,000 in outside support and have not held major federal awards. These grants provide up to $50,000 per year for two years. The Focused Discovery Awards fund research in specific topics such as age-related hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, hyperacusis, and tinnitus, offering the same financial structure. The Expanded Discovery Awards support investigations into Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and provide up to $100,000 per year for two years. All applicants must possess a relevant doctoral-level degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., Au.D.) and be affiliated with a nonprofit educational, governmental, or research institution in the United States. Eligibility includes faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical/research fellows, as well as current medical residents in otolaryngology. Ph.D. students and residents in other specialties are not eligible. The program particularly welcomes Early Stage Investigators, defined as being within ten years of their terminal degree or residency. Applications are managed through ProposalCentral. The Keithley and Focused Discovery Awards are accessed under the program title “Emerging Research Grants,” while the Expanded Discovery Awards require a separate submission under “ERG—Expanded Discovery Awards.” LOI instructions and full application guides are available on the HHF website. Applicants may apply to multiple categories if eligible but must submit separate applications where required. Evaluation of full proposals involves multi-level peer review by subcommittees of the Scientific Review Committee, followed by oversight from the Council of Scientific Trustees and the Research Committee of the HHF Board of Directors. Review criteria include scientific merit, innovation, potential for clinical impact, PI qualifications, and institutional support. Notification of LOI results is expected by mid-January 2026, and invited full proposals will be due by April 6, 2026. Awardees will be notified in time for the grant term to begin on October 1, 2026. The ERG program is recurring, with application cycles opening annually. Proposals must adhere to the program’s cost and eligibility guidelines detailed in the ERG Policy document. For inquiries, applicants may contact grants@hhf.org or call 212-257-6140. Additional information on award topics, eligibility, and allowable expenses is available through the Foundation's website.

Review ERG Policy sections IV–VI to ensure topic-specific compliance; align project with HHF research priorities; clarify early-career investigator status if applying to Keithley Award.