Leveraging Extant Data to Understand Developmental Trajectories of Late Talking Children (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The "Leveraging Extant Data to Understand Developmental Trajectories of Late Talking Children" funding opportunity, administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports research that uses existing data to investigate developmental patterns among children who exhibit delayed speech. As part of the R21 funding mechanism, this opportunity is intended for exploratory and early-stage projects, and it specifically excludes clinical trials. The NOFO invites proposals that analyze and interpret extant datasets to better understand the outcomes, predictors, and risk factors associated with late talking in childhood. Researchers are encouraged to contribute to the development of open and shareable data resources to benefit the wider scientific and clinical community. The NIH, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary federal agency responsible for biomedical and public health research. This opportunity aligns with the missions of several NIH institutes and centers, including those focusing on deafness and communication disorders, mental health, child health and development, and translational sciences. The funding opportunity falls under four federal assistance listings (CFDA): 93.173, 93.242, 93.350, and 93.865, underscoring its multidisciplinary support across key areas of health and developmental research. Applicants may include a wide range of eligible institutions and organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit entities, small businesses, for-profit organizations, tribal governments and organizations, and various local and state government bodies. Additional eligible applicant types include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions. Non-domestic (foreign) institutions and regional organizations are also eligible to apply. This broad eligibility encourages diversity in research perspectives and promotes inclusivity. The submission process requires applicants to adhere to the NIH standard R21 submission procedures, with applications submitted through Grants.gov. The opportunity does not require a letter of intent or other pre-application materials. Applicants must ensure that they follow NIH guidelines for data sharing and ethical use of extant datasets. There are no stated matching or cost-sharing requirements, making the opportunity more accessible to institutions with limited financial resources. The current application window closes on December 9, 2025, having been posted initially on November 20, 2024. Although the original deadline was October 2, 2025, the updated deadline extends the application period. The opportunity is expected to recur regularly, with a forecasted next cycle based on this pattern. Given the recurring nature of similar NIH announcements, prospective applicants should anticipate future cycles and plan accordingly. Award amounts are not explicitly stated in the synopsis, and neither the ceiling nor the floor is defined. This suggests that funding levels may vary based on project scope and NIH program priorities. The number of anticipated awards is also not specified. The absence of defined funding parameters emphasizes the exploratory nature of R21 grants, allowing for a wide range of project scales and budgets. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact NIH Grants Information at grantsinfo@nih.gov for additional inquiries or clarifications.