NIDCD Research Fellowship for Audiologists

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a component of the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced its intent to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the NIDCD Research Fellowship for Audiologists. This program is designed to strengthen the pipeline of clinician-scientists in audiology by supporting clinical audiologists who are currently enrolled in Ph.D. programs. The initiative reflects NIDCD’s broader mission to advance research and training in hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language, with a focus on improving health outcomes and expanding scientific understanding in these areas. The primary purpose of this fellowship program is to provide structured, rigorous research training that integrates clinical expertise with biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. By supporting audiologists pursuing doctoral degrees, the program aims to cultivate professionals who can contribute to translational and clinical research that advances hearing health care. The fellowship is expected to emphasize the development of strong research competencies, including study design, data analysis, and dissemination of findings, thereby enhancing the capacity of the audiology workforce to engage in evidence-based practice and innovation. Funding under this opportunity will support activities directly related to research training and doctoral education. While specific allowable costs are not detailed in the forecast notice, NIH fellowships typically support stipends, tuition, fees, and training-related expenses necessary to complete a research doctorate. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers the financial burden on applicants and their institutions. However, detailed funding parameters, including award size and duration, will be specified in the forthcoming full announcement. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of applicant organizations such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, government entities, and for-profit organizations. The key individual eligibility criterion is that applicants must be clinical audiologists currently enrolled in Ph.D. programs. Both domestic and international entities may be eligible, including federally recognized and non-recognized tribal organizations, U.S. territories, and foreign institutions. This inclusivity supports a diverse applicant pool and encourages participation from varied institutional and geographic contexts. At this stage, applications are not yet being accepted. The notice is issued as a forecast to provide prospective applicants with sufficient time to prepare competitive proposals, establish collaborations, and design research projects aligned with NIDCD priorities. Once the formal funding opportunity is released, applicants will be expected to follow standard NIH submission procedures, which typically involve registration in federal systems, preparation of detailed research and training plans, and submission through designated electronic portals. The estimated timeline indicates that the full opportunity will be posted in April 2028, with applications due by the end of May 2028. Awards are expected to be issued by September 2028, with project start dates aligned accordingly. This advance notice suggests that the program may follow a recurring cycle, although recurrence is not explicitly confirmed. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and engage with program contacts via the provided email address for additional guidance and clarification as the opportunity develops.