NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01) is a federal funding opportunity offered by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This program is part of the NIH Research Career Development initiative, which is designed to cultivate a strong pipeline of highly trained scientists capable of addressing national needs in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. The K01 mechanism specifically supports early-career researchers transitioning toward independence by providing structured mentorship, protected research time, and financial support. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support promising postdoctoral audiologists holding Au.D./Ph.D. degrees who demonstrate the potential to become independent investigators in fields aligned with NIDCD’s mission. The program requires applicants to propose a comprehensive plan that integrates research and career development activities. This includes a mentored research experience combined with training components that build skills in areas such as study design, data analysis, and responsible conduct of research. A key requirement of this specific funding announcement is that applicants must propose to lead an independent clinical trial, feasibility study, or ancillary study involving human subjects that meets NIH definitions of basic experimental studies. Funding under this award is structured to provide both salary and research support. NIDCD contributes up to 75,000 dollars annually toward the recipient’s salary, along with fringe benefits, and provides an additional 30,000 dollars per year for research development expenses. These funds support activities directly related to career development, such as supplies, equipment, technical personnel, and training opportunities. The total project period may not exceed three years, during which awardees are expected to dedicate at least 75 percent of their full-time professional effort to the program. Certain costs, such as administrative salaries for mentors, are not allowable, and indirect costs are reimbursed at a fixed rate. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad but clearly defined. Applicant organizations may include public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and government bodies at various levels, provided they are based in the United States. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components are not eligible. Individual applicants must possess a research or health-professional doctoral degree and must not have previously served as principal investigators on major NIH research grants or equivalent awards. Candidates must also be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents by the time of award. A qualified mentor with a strong research background and mentoring track record is required, and the applicant institution must demonstrate a supportive research environment. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov using systems such as NIH ASSIST, with tracking through eRA Commons. Applicants must complete all required registrations, including SAM and Grants.gov, prior to submission. The application includes multiple components such as a research plan, career development plan, mentor statements, institutional commitment documentation, and compliance with data management and human subjects research requirements. Applications are evaluated through NIH’s peer review system based on criteria including candidate potential, quality of the research plan, strength of the mentoring arrangement, and institutional support. The funding opportunity follows standard NIH submission cycles with multiple deadlines each year. For the current cycle, applications are accepted through May 24, 2026, with additional recurring deadlines extending through 2027 under standard NIH schedules. Review and award timelines follow a structured sequence including scientific merit review, advisory council review, and earliest start dates typically several months after submission. The program is recurring, with expected future cycles aligned to NIH’s standard due dates. Key contacts are provided for applicants seeking assistance, including general grants information via GrantsInfo@nih.gov and technical support through the eRA Service Desk. Specific scientific, peer review, and financial contacts are also listed within NIDCD. Overall, this opportunity represents a structured pathway for early-career audiology researchers to gain independence through mentored research and targeted career development support within a federally funded framework.

Align research plan with career goals; demonstrate strong mentorship; provide clear pathway to independence; ensure compliance with NIH application requirements