Transformative Non-Invasive/Minimally Invasive Technologies for Imaging the Olfactory System Across Scales (R01 CT Optional)

The Transformative Non-Invasive/Minimally Invasive Technologies for Imaging the Olfactory System Across Scales funding opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health, specifically through the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders in partnership with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. This program reflects the NIH’s broader mission to advance scientific understanding and improve human health, with a specific focus on disorders related to communication, including smell. The initiative responds to longstanding technical challenges in imaging the human olfactory system, which has historically been difficult to study due to its anatomical complexity, limited accessibility, and lack of high-resolution, non-invasive tools. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development or adaptation of advanced imaging technologies capable of visualizing the human olfactory system in vivo with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The program emphasizes non-invasive or minimally invasive approaches that can capture detailed images of both peripheral and central olfactory structures, including the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb. By improving imaging capabilities, the initiative aims to enhance understanding of olfactory disorders, enable earlier diagnosis, and support the development of targeted therapies, including those relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. Funding supports research projects that integrate multidisciplinary expertise across fields such as biomedical imaging, bioengineering, biophysics, biochemistry, and olfactory science. Projects may involve technologies such as fluorescence imaging, optical and acoustic imaging, molecular imaging, diffusion imaging, and advanced MRI techniques. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed technologies significantly improve upon current capabilities, particularly in terms of resolution, sensitivity, and specificity. The program also encourages the integration of computational tools and machine learning approaches to enhance imaging performance and data interpretation. Awardees may receive up to 500,000 dollars in direct costs per year for a maximum project period of five years. The program anticipates funding approximately two to three awards annually, with a total estimated program funding of about 2 million dollars per year. There is no cost-sharing requirement for applicants. Funding is intended to support research and development activities, including preclinical testing and, where applicable, low-risk clinical trials that do not require extensive regulatory approvals such as Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption filings. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based entities such as higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies including small businesses, and various levels of government entities. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. Individual principal investigators must possess the necessary expertise and resources to conduct the proposed research and must be affiliated with an eligible organization. Applications must be submitted through approved electronic systems such as Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST and must comply with detailed NIH application instructions, including requirements for a research strategy, data management and sharing plan, and a team management plan outlining multidisciplinary collaboration. The application process includes multiple submission cycles, with annual deadlines occurring on August 21 in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Applications undergo a rigorous peer review process evaluating scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and the qualifications of the research team. Successful applications proceed to advisory council review before final funding decisions are made. Earliest project start dates typically occur in April following the review cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with NIH program staff prior to submission to ensure alignment with program goals and responsiveness to the funding announcement. Throughout the award period, recipients must adhere to NIH policies regarding reporting, data sharing, human subjects protections, and cybersecurity requirements where applicable. Annual progress reports and final closeout documentation are required. The program is recurring with defined submission cycles, and applicants are encouraged to plan submissions accordingly. For questions or guidance, applicants may contact NIH program staff via the designated email addresses provided in the announcement.

Emphasize innovation in imaging resolution and specificity; demonstrate multidisciplinary collaboration; clearly justify feasibility and clinical translation potential