To investigate solutions to problems directly relevant to individuals with deafness or disorders of human communication in the areas of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) supports research and

credit: Active Rain

research training, including investigation into the etiology, pathology, detection, treatment, and prevention of disorders of hearing and other communication processes, primarily through the support of basic and applied research in anatomy, audiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, epidemiology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, the neurosciences, otolaryngology, psychology, pharmacology, physiology, psychophysics, speech-language pathology, and other scientific disciplines.

The NIDCD supports: (1) Research into the evaluation of techniques and devices used in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of disorders of hearing and other communication processes; (2) research into prevention and early detection and diagnosis of hearing loss and speech, voice, and language disorders and research into preventing the effects of such disorders by means of appropriate referral and rehabilitation; (3) research into the detection, treatment, and prevention of disorders of hearing and other communication processes in the elderly population and its rehabilitation to ensure continued effective communication skills; and (4) research to expand knowledge of the effects of environmental agents that influence hearing or other communication processes.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to encourage small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2016: --- . A total of 1,040 awards were made. ? Of these, 316 competitive awards were made from 1,091 applications, a ratio of 29%. ? Of these, 724 noncompetitive continuation awards were made. --- . Fiscal Year 2017: --- . It is estimated that a total of 1,039 awards will be made. ? Of these, 303 competitive awards will be made from 1,115 applications, a ratio of 27%. ? Of these, 736 noncompetitive continuation awards will be made. --- . Fiscal Year 2018: --- . It is estimated that a total of 812 awards will be made. ? Of these, 62 competitive awards will be made from 1,140 applications, a ratio of 5%. ? Of these, 750 noncompetitive continuation awards will be made.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Project Grants and Centers Grants may be used to provide salaries, equipment, supplies, travel, and other expenses for research.

The grantee institution is obliged to expend grant funds prudently for the purposes as stated in the application and award document.

Some National Research Service Awards (NRSAs) are issued on behalf of an individual for research training in specified biomedical and behavioral research areas.

Other training grants are made to institutions to enable them to make NRSAs to individuals selected by them.

Each postdoctoral individual who receives an NRSA may be obligated, upon termination of the award, to comply with certain service and payback provisions.

Mentored and unmentored career development awards are made to enhance the independent research capability of highly promising individuals during the formative stages of their careers.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: Phase I grants, typically 6 months in duration, are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process.

SBIR Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research efforts initiated in Phase I and that are likely to result in commercial products or processes.

STTR Phase I grant, normally of 1-year duration, are to determine the scientific, technical, and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort.

Phase II funding is based on scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the application.

Grant funds may be expended only for the purpose stated in the application and award document.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Project Grants and Centers Grants: Any public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit institution is eligible to apply.

For-profit institutions are not eligible for institutional National Research Service Awards.

All proposals are reviewed for scientific merit, for evaluation of the qualifications of the investigators, for adequacy of the research and/or research training environment and for significance of the problem.

Approved proposals compete for available funds.

Awardees of almost all Research Career Development Programs must be citizens or have been admitted to the United States for permanent residence.

Candidates must be nominated for the program by a nonfederal public or private nonprofit institution located in the United States, its possessions or Territories.

To be eligible, postdoctoral NRSA trainees and fellows must have a professional or scientific doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DO, DC, DDS, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, Dr PHPhD, MD, DO, DC, DDS, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, Dr PH, DNSc, ND {Doctor of Naturopathy}, PharmD, DSW, PsyD, AUD or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution).

SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, and have no more than 500 employees).

Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project.

In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the United States or its possessions.

To be eligible for funding, an SBIR grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns which 'partner' with a research institution in cooperative research and development.

At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution.

In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S.

and its possessions.

To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Health professionals; student/trainee; scientists/researchers; consumer.

Credentials/Documentation

Project Grants are awarded to an institution in the name of an individual investigator. Centers Grants are also awarded to an institution in the name of an investigator designated as the Program Director. Persons qualified to carry out research related to the NIDCD grant programs described above may apply for funds through their institution to support their investigations. Mentored career development must be conducted under the direction of a competent sponsor. A candidate for a Career Award must have an earned M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degree and have had prior research experience. National Research Service Awards: (1) Individual NRSA Fellowship Awards for predoctoral and postdoctoral training: The candidate's academic record, research experience, citizenship, institutional sponsorship, and the proposed area and plan of training must be included in the application. (2) Institutional Training Grants for predoctoral and postdoctoral training: The applicant institution must show the objectives, design and resources for the research training program; the qualifications and experience of directing staff and training preceptors; the criteria to be used in selecting individuals for stipend support; and a detailed, justified budget for the numbers and type of trainee positions requested. The cost principles for awards under this program are set forth in HHS regulations at 45 CFR 75, Subpart E and Appendix 1X (hospitals) to Part 75. Commercial organizations are subject to the cost principles located at 48 CFR 31.2 Federal Acquisition Regulation. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for further guidance on the applicability of cost principles (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/index.htm). For SBIR and STTR grants, the applicant organization (small business concern) must present in a research plan an idea that has potential for commercialization and furnish evidence that scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Awards made under this program are subject to 2 CFR 200, as implemented by 45 CFR 75 'Public Welfare, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards.' The policies and procedures generally applicable to NIH grants are set forth in the NIH Grants Policy Statement (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/index.htm).

Award Procedures

Research grant, career development, and research training program applications are reviewed initially by technical panels composed of scientific authorities, and by the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council composed of 18 leaders in medicine, science, education, and public affairs. Approved applications will compete on a merit basis for available funds. Formal award notices are transmitted to the grantee or awardee. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Sections 301, 464 A-F, and 487, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 241, 285m, 285m-3, and 288; Public Law 100-553; 102 Stat. 2769; Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, Public Law 102-564.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

> 180 Days. Research Grants and Centers Grants: Approximately 6 to 9 months. Career Program: From 6 to 9 months. SBIR/STTR applications: About 6 to 9 months. Institutional Training Grants: From 10 to 12 months. Individual Fellowships: From 4 to 6 months.

Appeals

A principal investigator (PI) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedure is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html. Final decisions on unresolved appeals are made with the advice of the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council.

Renewals

> 180 Days. By application and review in the same manner as new applications. Research career awards are not renewable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. This program has no matching requirements. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Research Grant awards are made for a 12-month period with recommendation of up to 4 years of additional support. Center Grant awards support may be for a period not to exceed 5 years. Career development awards provide support for up to 5 years. NRSA fellowship and traineeship awards are usually for a 12-month period, with recommendation of additional support of no more than 5 years for predoctoral training and no more than 3 years for postdoctoral training. SBIR Phase I awards are generally for 6 months; STTR Phase I awards are generally for 1 year; Phase II awards normally may not exceed 2 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: After the progress report is evaluated and deemed satisfactory, a notice of grant award for each grant is issued annually.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required.

The grantee organization submits quarterly Federal Financial Reports (SF-425).

A progress report is required yearly for each grant.

A financial status report is due either annually or at the end of the project period, depending upon the type of grant.

Performance monitoring is covered in the annual progress report.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

Expenditures and other financial records must be retained for 3 years from the day on which the grantee submits the last financial status report for the report period.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0890-0-1-552.

Obigations

(Project Grants) FY 16 $346,134,641; FY 17 est $353,024,000; and FY 18 est $260,766,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Project Grants: FY16 - Ranged from $4,589 to $2,360,934; Average was $332,822.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Project Grants and Centers Grants: 42 CFR 52 or 52a; 42 CFR 66; 45 CFR 75; 45 CFR 92; Grants will be available under the authority of and administered in accordance with the NIH Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 42 USC 241; Omnibus Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Applications. Omnibus Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Debra S. Holmes 6001 Executive Boulevard Room 8328 - MSC 9670, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9670 Email: holmesd@mail.nih.gov Phone: 3014968693 Fax: 3014026250

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The major elements in evaluating applications include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the environment and available resources for the proposed project; (5) the necessity of budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives; (7) innovation; (8) risk to human subjects, including inclusion of minorities and children, and animal protection. The following additional criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR grant applications: (1) The technological innovation of the proposed research; (2) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application.