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

Federal funding opportunity PAR-25-120 from National Institutes of Health (Department of Health and Human Services).

Apply on Grants.gov →Application closes October 15, 2027

Posted: October 18, 2024
Closes: October 15, 2027
Cost sharing: No
Instrument: Grant
Assistance listing: 93.173
Category: Health
Archives: November 20, 2027

Program funding history

Awards made under Assistance Listing 93.173 across FY2024–FY2026, from public federal spending records.

FY2024 obligated: $416.3M
FY2025 obligated: $416.1M
FY2026 (to date) obligated: $337.5M
Awards in window: 2,284

Top recipients: The Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, University of Wisconsin System, The Leland Stanford Junior University

Source: USAspending.gov · refreshed August 2026

Synopsis

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

Private institutions of higher education
Special district governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Independent school districts
Small businesses
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
County governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
City or township governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
State governments

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.

How to apply

Applications go through the official government listing. Grants Radar links you straight to the source — applying is free.

View on Grants.gov Full announcement

Agency contact: National Institutes of Health · [email protected] · 301-402-2541

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