Early-Stage Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) is sponsored by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) / NIH. This funding opportunity supports early-stage dissemination and implementation (D&I) research projects in NIDCD mission areas, including hearing and balance.

It aims to support projects that will set a foundation for a high-quality, D&I focused R01.

Opportunity Listing - Early-Stage Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Early-Stage Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Agency: National Institutes of Health Assistance Listings: 93. 173 -- Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders Last Updated: February 5, 2026 View version history on Grants.

gov The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) intends to re-issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO, prior funding opportunity RFA-DC-24-008 to solicit applications for research on early-stage dissemination and implementation (D&I) in the NIDCD mission areas of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.

Much research is devoted to developing evidence-based innovations (EBIs) that improve a person"s health and quality of life. To impact people"s lives, EBIs need to be adopted in clinical practice and everyday life. Unfortunately, wide-scale adoption...

of EBIs is lengthy and rare. Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is the field of research that seeks to close the gap between research and practice. Dissemination research is defined as the scientific study of the targeted distribution of information and materials about EBI to a specific audience (e.g., practitioners, patients, policymakers).

The intent is to understand how best to communicate and integrate knowledge associated with a given EBI. Implementation Science refers to a broader array of active and planned efforts to integrate evidence into practice. Implementation research focuses on understanding why clinical and community settings are not adopting and sustaining a particular EBI.

In turn, implementation research uses this understanding of barriers and facilitators to develop and evaluate different strategies (or collections of strategies) to increase adoption and integration of an EBI into practice. Many fields have applied D&I research theories, approaches, and outcome measures to improve adoption and sustainment of EBIs.

This funding opportunity aims to support early-stage D&I research in NIDCD mission areas of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Resulting findings should set a sufficient foundation for a high-quality, D&I focused R01 in NIDCD mission areas. Applications are not being solicited at this time.

Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the R21 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into D&I research in NIDCD mission areas are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.

In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in D&I and NIDCD mission areas will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.

For-profit organizations other than small businesses Federally recognized Native American tribal governments Special district governments Public and Indian housing authorities City or township governments Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education Public and state institutions of higher education Other Native American tribal organizations Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3) Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3) Refer to Section III.

Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility. Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations.

This new requirement was effective, May 1, 2025. Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding.

This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors. Grantor contact information National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders NIDCD_Implemenation_Science@nih.

gov NIDCD_Implemenation_Science@nih. gov NIDCD_Implemenation_Science@nih. gov File name Description Last updated RFA-DC-26-001-Full-Announcement.

html RFA-DC-26-001-Full-Announcement. html Link to additional information Funding opportunity number : Cost sharing or matching requirement : Funding instrument type : Opportunity Category Explanation : Category of Funding Activity :