NIDCD Research Opportunities for New Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DC 24 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DC 24 007

The NIDCD Research Opportunities for New Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-DC-24-007) is an NIH discretionary grant program that invites applications for R01 awards supporting independent research projects aligned with the scientific mission of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). In practical terms, it is meant to help launch and strengthen the research careers of investigators who are early in their independent careers, while also advancing NIDCD-relevant science across areas such as hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language (the NOFO frames eligibility broadly as any work within NIDCD mission areas). The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial, but a clinical trial is not required.

A central purpose of the program is workforce development through diversity. It is specifically aimed at Early Stage Investigators and New Investigators from diverse backgrounds, with an emphasis on groups underrepresented in the health-related sciences, consistent with NIH-wide diversity interests (for example, the diversity-related notice referenced in the NOFO, NOT-OD-20-031). The announcement also highlights that investigators in certain NIH diversity eligibility categories (noted as categories A-C in the NOFO) are particularly encouraged to coordinate with their institutions to apply, reinforcing that this mechanism is designed as a supportive entry point for investigators who have historically faced barriers to research funding and advancement.

One applicant-friendly feature is that preliminary data are not required. This lowers the threshold for proposing ambitious, well-justified projects when the investigator may not yet have extensive independent lab data. That said, applicants still need to present a strong scientific rationale, feasible approach, and a clear plan that demonstrates independence and likelihood of producing meaningful results within the R01 framework.

A strict administrative requirement in this NOFO is the institutional letter of affirmation. Every application must include a letter from the applicant institution affirming and documenting the investigator's eligibility for this program. If the application does not include this letter, it will be administratively withdrawn without review, so applicants need to treat this as a non-negotiable submission item and build in enough lead time to obtain the letter through their grants office.

Eligibility spans a wide range of applicant organizations commonly permitted under NIH R01 opportunities. Eligible applicants include various levels of U.S. government entities (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments and organizations (including federally recognized tribal governments and other than federally recognized tribal organizations). The NOFO also calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are important limits related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization can include certain well-justified foreign activities or collaborations if they meet NIH definitions and requirements. This distinction matters for applicants considering international recruitment sites, collaborations, or specialized resources located outside the U.S.

From a funding details perspective, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.173, with an award ceiling of $500,000, and the original closing date is February 6, 2025. The NOFO was created on December 20, 2023. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided source data, which usually means applicants should not assume a guaranteed volume of awards and should focus on making the strongest possible case for significance, innovation, and approach within NIDCD priorities, while also clearly documenting investigator eligibility and institutional support.

Overall, this program is best viewed as a targeted R01 entry point for early independent investigators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds who are ready to lead an NIDCD-relevant research project, want the flexibility to propose clinical trial or non-clinical trial work, and can secure institutional confirmation of eligibility. The combination of no preliminary data requirement and the explicit diversity-focused intent is designed to reduce common structural hurdles while still supporting rigorous, impactful research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCD Research Opportunities for New Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity (R01 Clinical Trial 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 2023-12-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• 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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