§ Federal grant opportunity · PAR-25-120
NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
National Institutes of Health is accepting applications for NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 Clinical Trial Optional). The deadline is October 15, 2027 and the published award range is Award amount not published.
Key facts
- Funder
- National Institutes of Health
- Application deadline
- October 15, 2027
- Award range
- Award amount not published
- Eligibility
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
- Geography
- United States
- Focus areas
- Health
- Opportunity number
- PAR-25-120
Program overview
The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) is intended to support both basic and clinical research from scientists who are beginning to establish an independent research career. It cannot be used for thesis or dissertation research. The research must be focused on one or more of the areas within the biomedical and behavioral scientific mission of the NIDCD: hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. The NIDCD ECR Award R21 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; translational research; outcomes research; and development of new research technology. Irrespective of the type of project, the intent of the NIDCD ECR Award R21 is for the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) to obtain sufficient preliminary data for a subsequent R01 application.
How to apply
- Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
- Read the full funding opportunity announcement from National Institutes of Health.
- Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
- Submit before October 15, 2027, allowing time for registration and validation.
Related grant opportunities
- NEI Research Grant for Vision-Related Secondary Data Analysis (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- NIDCD Cooperative Agreement for Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (U01 - Clinical Trial Required)
- Limited Competition: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program: Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Early-Stage Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Neurotherapeutic Agent Characterization and In vivo Efficacy Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
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