OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-25-120

NIDCD Early Career Research(ECR) Award (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Oct 15, 2027(367 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH research grant for scientists starting an independent research career in hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. It funds small studies, secondary data analysis, methods development, and new technology to build preliminary data for a future R01. If you are not a researcher in one of those areas, do not bother.

Best for
Early-career scientists at universities and research institutions, Biotech and health-tech small businesses doing R&D in NIDCD mission areas, Nonprofits with research programs in hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language, Researchers building preliminary data for a future R01
Not for
Businesses outside the NIDCD mission areas (hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, language), Students seeking funding for thesis or dissertation research, Organizations looking for general operating or commercialization funding
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (medical, biomedical, clinical)
87
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (technology, tech)
79
Strong Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
52
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, R&D
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is October 15, 2027.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, and public housing authorities. Foreign organizations are not eligible, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations cannot apply.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are listed as eligible, but the notice does not specify whether sole proprietors or single-member LLCs qualify, so check the full eligibility text before assuming.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are both listed as eligible applicants.

Summary

NIH/NIDCD R21 award for early-career scientists establishing independent research in hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. Supports small research projects, secondary data analysis, methodology development, translational and outcomes research, and new technology development to build preliminary data for a future R01. Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofits, small

About this grant

The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) is intended to support both basic and clinical research from scientists who are beginning to establish an independent research career. It cannot be used for thesis or dissertation research. The research must be focused on one or more of the areas within the biomedical and behavioral scientific mission of the NIDCD: hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. The NIDCD ECR Award R21 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; translational research; outcomes research; and development of new research technology. Irrespective of the type of project, the intent of the NIDCD ECR Award R21 is for the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) to obtain sufficient preliminary data for a subsequent R01 application.

Who can apply

Other Eligible Applicants include the following:

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Research

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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