Section III
Description
-Purpose. The NIDCD is encouraging Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant applications which translate basic research findings into clinical tools for better human health in the NIDCD mission areas of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The intent of this FOA is to provide a new avenue for basic scientists, clinicians and clinical scientists to jointly initiate and conduct translational research projects. The scope of this FOA includes a range of activities to encourage translation of basic research findings which will impact the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of communication disorders. Multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary, and academic-industrial collaborations studies are encouraged. This FOA is not intended for outcome studies, the extension of ongoing clinical research studies, the optimization of current clinical protocols, or pre-translational studies. -Mechanism of Support. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will utilize the Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PAR-08-017, that encourages applications under the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism. -Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. This FOA has special receipt dates for five submission cycles. Although there are no funds set-aside for this initiative, applications will be reviewed by an institute special review group. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.