Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders – Research Centers (RCs)

To investigate solutions to problems directly relevant to individuals with deafness or disorders of human communication in the areas of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) supports research and research training, including investigation into the etiology, pathology, detection, treatment, and prevention of disorders of hearing and other communication processes, primarily through the support of basic and applied research in anatomy, audiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, epidemiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, the neurosciences, otolaryngology, psychology, pharmacology, physiology, psychophysics, speech-language pathology, and other scientific disciplines. The NIDCD supports: (1) Research into the evaluation of techniques and devices used in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of disorders of hearing and other communication processes; (2) research into prevention and early detection and diagnosis of hearing loss and speech, voice, and language disorders and research into preventing the effects of such disorders by means of appropriate referral and rehabilitation; (3) research into the detection, treatment, and prevention of disorders of hearing and other communication processes in the elderly population and its rehabilitation to ensure continued effective communication skills; and (4) research to expand knowledge of the effects of environmental agents that influence hearing or other communication processes.

Research Centers Grants: Any public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit institution is eligible to apply. All applications are reviewed for scientific merit, for evaluation of the qualifications of the investigators, for adequacy of the research environment and for significance of the problem. Approved applications compete for available funds. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

The policies and procedures generally applicable to NIH grants are set forth in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/index.htm).

Research Center Grants are reviewed initially by technical panels composed of scientific authorities, and by the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council composed of 18 leaders in medicine, science, education, and public affairs. Approved applications will compete on a merit basis for available funds. Formal award notices are transmitted to the grantee or awardee.

Research Centers Grants: Approximately 6 to 9 months.