Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01 Clinical Trial Required)
Can you apply?
This grant is for postdoctoral researchers with Au.D. and/or Ph.D. degrees who are developing careers in audiology research. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and have a commitment from a mentoring institution. The award supports mentored research focused on hearing-related questions with a required clinical trial component. Eligible institutions include research universities, medical schools, and other organizations with established research infrastructure. International scholars on visa may be eligible under certain conditions. The program is designed to build investigator independence and establish preliminary data for future R01 grant applications.
Program description
The purpose of the NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01) is to support comprehensive and rigorous postdoctoral research and career development experiences in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences of promising Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists who have the potential to become productive, independent investigators in scientific health-related research fields relevant to NIDCD’s mission.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) and SF-424 (R&R) Supplement
- Project Narrative (research strategy, clinical trial details, and timeline)
- Specific Aims (1 page)
- Research Strategy (up to 8 pages) including Background/Significance, Innovation, and Approach
- Career Development Plan and mentoring documentation
- Letters of commitment from mentor(s) and sponsoring institution
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Supporting documents (institutional review board approval path, clinical trial registration information)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.173 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$67,501,043
-
$41,811,330
-
$29,666,573
-
$25,009,162
-
$22,883,624
-
$22,740,456
-
$16,596,227
-
$13,255,879
-
$12,363,350
-
$12,276,804
Top States by Funding
- MA 11 awards $142.6M
- CA 10 awards $101.6M
- IA 5 awards $77.5M
- CT 2 awards $76.3M
- MD 7 awards $56.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.173). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $422,034,489 | |
| 2025 | $422,700,014 | |
| 2026 est. | $427,030,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this K01 award?
Postdoctoral researchers holding an Au.D. and/or Ph.D. degree who are citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants must have research credentials, be sponsored by a mentor, and work at an eligible institution.
What is the typical funding range and project period?
K01 awards typically provide $100,000-$180,000 annually for up to 5 years, though actual amounts vary. Contact NIH program staff for current funding details.
Is a clinical trial required for all proposals?
Yes, this K01 requires a clinical trial component as part of the research plan. The trial must be prospectively registered.
What makes a competitive K01 application?
Strong mentoring team, clear career development plan, preliminary audiology data, a feasible clinical trial design, and demonstrated potential to become an independent researcher are key competitive factors.
What is the application deadline?
The fixed deadline is May 7, 2027. Applications open in February, and NIH typically accepts submissions for 30 days after the deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure a strong mentor team with audiology research expertise; the mentoring plan is crucial and reviewed carefully by NIH staff.
- Develop preliminary data before submission to demonstrate feasibility and background knowledge in your proposed research area.
- Design your clinical trial carefully with clear inclusion/exclusion criteria, outcome measures, and statistical power; this is a required component that reviewers scrutinize.
- Create a credible career development plan showing how the award will transition you from postdoctoral fellow to independent investigator.
- Align your research with NIH priorities in hearing science, such as mechanisms of hearing loss, auditory processing, or rehabilitation technologies.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often lack sufficient preliminary data or include overly ambitious clinical trial designs that are not feasible within the award period. Weak mentoring plans—where the mentor's role is unclear or the mentor lacks relevant expertise—are frequently cited as reasons for unfunded applications. Additionally, proposals that fail to clearly articulate a pathway to research independence beyond the mentored phase are less competitive.
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