Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 28, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-stage researchers and postdoctoral fellows pursuing doctoral research in audiology-related fields supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Specifically, it targets individuals who have completed or are completing their Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree and wish to conduct mentored research that advances hearing, balance, voice, speech, or language sciences. Applicants must hold a valid research-training position at an eligible institution (universities, research institutes, hospitals, or other organizations with NIH funding capability) and work under the supervision of an experienced research mentor. The program supports full-time research training in the United States or its territories, with typical awards funding one to three years of postdoctoral research training. Geographic scope is nationwide, and priority is given to research addressing significant gaps in audiology knowledge and clinical practice.
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Program description
The purpose of the NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) program is to support a comprehensive, rigorous biomedical research training, and dissertation research leading to a research doctorate (i.e., Ph.D.) in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Graduate Student
- 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) Application for Federal Assistance (grants.gov form)
- Project Narrative (typically 15 pages maximum, including research aims, methods, significance, and innovation)
- Personal Statement and Career Development Plan
- Mentor Letter of Support and biographical sketch (NIH format)
- Institution's Letters of Support and Facilities/Resources documentation
- Budget Justification (itemized by year)
- NIH Biosketch for applicant (2 pages) and mentor
- Human Subjects Protection or Animal Care documentation (if applicable)
- Compliance certifications (conflict of interest, institution profile, etc.)
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
-
$13,760,149
-
$12,363,350
-
$12,276,804
Top States by Funding
- MA 11 awards $143.1M
- CA 10 awards $101.6M
- IA 5 awards $77.5M
- CT 2 awards $76.3M
- MD 8 awards $65.4M
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 F32 fellowship?
Typically, applicants must hold a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree or be within one year of earning it, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have a commitment to pursue research training at an eligible institution. Recent postdoctoral fellows or those early in their research careers are preferred.
What types of research projects are supported?
The NIDCD F32 supports original research in areas including hearing science, audiology practice, vestibular research, voice disorders, speech pathology, and language development. Basic science, clinical, and translational research projects are all eligible.
What is the typical funding amount and project duration?
Individual F32 awards typically range from $60,000 to $100,000+ per year depending on the research scope and institution location, with projects usually lasting 1-3 years. Actual amounts vary by scientific merit and program availability.
How competitive is this fellowship?
NIH F32 fellowships are highly competitive, with success rates typically around 20-25%. Applications are peer-reviewed and scored on scientific merit, applicant qualifications, mentor strength, and research innovation.
What is the application deadline and timeline?
The application deadline is January 7, 2028. Applications typically open in early January, and review decisions are issued approximately 4-6 months after the submission deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Invest heavily in identifying and securing a strong, accomplished research mentor with active NIH funding and a track record of training postdoctoral fellows. Your mentor is a critical component of the review.
- Develop a clear, specific research proposal that addresses a genuine gap in audiology research and demonstrates innovation. Reviewers will evaluate scientific merit and feasibility carefully.
- Emphasize your research training plan and career development goals. Articulate how this fellowship fits into your long-term trajectory and how it will position you for research independence.
- Budget carefully and justify all costs. NIH reviewers scrutinize budgets for reasonableness and alignment with proposed research activities.
- Allow ample time to work with your institution's research office and mentor to gather letters of recommendation, institutional support documentation, and compliance certifications (human subjects, animal care, etc.).
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applicants submit poorly developed research plans that lack specificity or underestimate the scope of work. Another frequent issue is failing to demonstrate sufficient mentoring support—reviewers want evidence that the mentor is actively involved and has capacity to oversee the fellow's training. Finally, weak career development narratives that don't clearly connect the proposed research to long-term goals often result in lower scores.
Similar grants
- OPEN NIDCD Research Fellowship for Audiologists — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01 Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIDCD Clinical Research Center Grant (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health