NIDCD's Mentored Research Education Pathway for Otolaryngology Residents and Medical Students (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 127

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 127

NIDCD's Mentored Research Education Pathway for Otolaryngology Residents and Medical Students is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Education Program (R25) funding opportunity designed to strengthen the pipeline of clinician-researchers in areas aligned with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The core purpose is educational rather than purely research-driven: it supports structured, mentored research education activities that help recruit and prepare individuals in otolaryngology (including residents and medical students) to pursue long-term research careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences relevant to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. The program is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported activities cannot include conducting clinical trials as defined by NIH policy, even if they involve clinical settings or clinical populations.

This opportunity is published as PAR-24-127 and is offered as a discretionary grant under the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.173). The emphasis is on developing and delivering a mentored pathway that gives trainees meaningful exposure to research training, professional development, and career-building experiences that would make research careers more attainable and attractive for people training in otolaryngology. In practice, that typically means hands-on mentored research experiences, a curriculum or seminar series in research methods and responsible conduct, guidance on scientific writing and grant preparation, and intentional career development supports that help trainees transition toward future NIH training and career development mechanisms.

A wide range of U.S.-based organizations can apply. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible agencies of the federal government, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it places clear limits on international involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.

From a funding standpoint, the listed award ceiling is $499,999, which indicates the maximum amount anticipated per award under the terms of the opportunity. The posting does not specify an expected number of awards in the provided text. The original closing date is September 29, 2026, which functions as the deadline reference in the source data (applicants should still verify NIH receipt dates and any applicable application due date schedules and cycles associated with PAR announcements).

Overall, the grant is best understood as support for building or expanding a mentored research education pathway that targets otolaryngology residents and medical students, with the goal of increasing the number of trainees who develop the skills, mentorship networks, and early research accomplishments needed to continue into research-intensive training and, ultimately, independent research careers within NIDCD's mission areas, without supporting clinical trial execution as part of the program.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCD's Mentored Research Education Pathway for Otolaryngology Residents and Medical Students (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $499,999.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 24 127

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