At a glance
This program funds early career clinical and basic scientists doing preliminary research in NIDCD mission areas such as hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. It is for applicants transitioning to, or already in, an early independent research career, and the work may support later R01 or K award applications. Awards are grants with a maximum of $375,000 in direct costs over up to 3 years, with no more than $125,000 in direct costs in any single year. The number of awards is not set and depends on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications. No cost sharing is required, foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components are allowed.
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) is intended to support both basic and clinical research from scientists who are beginning to establish an independent research career. It cannot be used for thesis or dissertation research. The research must be focused on one or more of the areas within the biomedical and behavioral scientific mission of the NIDCD: hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. The NIDCD ECR Award R21 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; translational research; outcomes research; and development of new research technology. Irrespective of the type of project, the intent of the NIDCD ECR Award R21 is for the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) to obtain sufficient preliminary data for a subsequent R01 application.
Who can apply
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Others
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments