NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Support for early career researchers in hearing, balance, and speech aims to generate preliminary data for future individual research grants.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 17, 2025 | October 17, 2025 | February 18, 2026 | June 17, 2026 | October 19, 2026 | February 17, 2027 | June 17, 2027 | October 15, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $375,000 direct costs over 3 years; no more than $125,000 direct costs per year.
Summary: Supports early career researchers in hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language to generate preliminary data for future R01 applications.
Key Information: Applicants must be within 7 years of their terminal degree (with some clinical training exceptions); only one application per PD/PI per due date.
Description
This opportunity supports early career scientists beginning to establish independent research careers in fields aligned with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) mission: hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. The award is designed to help researchers obtain preliminary data necessary for a subsequent R01 application. Both basic and clinical research projects are eligible, including secondary data analysis, small self-contained studies, methodology development, translational research, outcomes research, and new technology development. Clinical trials are optional.
The program is distinct from other NIH R21 mechanisms, focusing specifically on early career investigators and not intended for thesis or dissertation research. Preliminary data are not required but are encouraged if available.
