NIDCD Clinical Research Center Grant (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has reissued its funding opportunity for the NIDCD Clinical Research Center Grant under activity code P50. This opportunity supports interdisciplinary clinical research centers focused on human sensory and communication disorders. Research may involve individuals directly affected by disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language, as well as data or tissues derived from them. The mechanism enables applicants to form centers around a unifying research theme, with 3–4 highly integrated projects supported by an administrative core and optionally, 1–2 scientific cores. This funding opportunity seeks to foster innovative, synergistic research that offers a comprehensive approach to complex clinical issues. Applications must demonstrate multidisciplinary collaboration and propose a coherent set of interrelated studies addressing a central scientific question. Projects should leverage each other’s findings and infrastructure to maximize scientific return. The research must primarily focus on individuals with sensory and/or communication disorders, although carefully justified exceptions may be allowed. Centers must include a required Administrative Core, which oversees all operations and acts as the central hub for coordination. Optional Scientific Cores may support shared needs such as data management or specialized technical services, but they must serve multiple research projects. Applications must also outline an External Advisory Committee, whose members, although unnamed at submission, are expected to provide ongoing scientific guidance and performance evaluation. Applicants may propose low-risk clinical trials or basic science experimental studies involving human subjects. High-risk clinical trials or those requiring FDA oversight are excluded. New applications are capped at $1.5 million in direct costs annually. Renewals may request up to 10% more than the final year of the existing award, but not exceeding $2 million annually. The maximum award period is five years. The next available due date is November 4, 2025, with subsequent deadlines in February, June, and October through 2028. Each cycle includes a scientific merit review, advisory council review, and award notice, with an anticipated start approximately eight months after submission. Applications must follow the NIH Multi-Project (M) Application Guide and be submitted via NIH ASSIST or institution-approved system-to-system platforms. For questions, scientific inquiries should be directed to Dr. Holly L. Storkel at holly.storkel@nih.gov, and grants management questions to Samantha Tempchin at samantha.tempchin@nih.gov. This opportunity is open to a broad range of eligible U.S. entities including institutions of higher education, nonprofits, small businesses, and government agencies. Applications with foreign subawards will not be accepted. The funding opportunity will remain active through June 3, 2028.