NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award for Established Investigators (K18 Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 24 140

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 140

The NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award for Established Investigators (K18 Clinical Trial Required) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed for experienced, well-established investigators who want to expand, update, or meaningfully redirect their research programs by gaining new skills. The program is run by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and focuses on research questions tied to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language sciences. In practical terms, the K18 is meant to support a period of structured career enhancement where a proven researcher deliberately steps into a new methodology, emerging area, or different research approach that will strengthen their long-term ability to contribute to NIDCD-relevant science.

A key feature of this specific announcement is that it is labeled "Clinical Trial Required," which signals that the proposed work under this award mechanism is expected to involve a clinical trial component as defined under NIH policy. Applicants should interpret that as more than just general human subjects research; it typically means the project is expected to prospectively assign human participants to one or more interventions in order to evaluate effects on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes. Because NIH definitions and compliance expectations for clinical trials are specific, applicants generally need to be prepared to address clinical trial-related requirements in their application materials, including the appropriate trial structure and oversight considerations.

This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under the NIH, with the funding activity category in health and the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 93.173. The funding opportunity number is PAR-24-140, and it was created on February 8, 2024. The original closing date provided is May 7, 2027, which indicates a multi-year window for submission under this program announcement (though applicants should still confirm exact receipt dates and any cycles or standard NIH due dates associated with the announcement before planning a submission).

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and includes many common U.S.-based research and public service entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (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 under those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible organizations. The announcement also explicitly 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal government agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear limits related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization may be able to include certain foreign activities or collaborations if they meet NIH rules and are appropriately justified and structured within the application.

Overall, this K18 mechanism is best understood as a career enhancement and skill-acquisition award for established investigators who want to deliberately build new capabilities that will reshape or strengthen their research direction in NIDCD mission areas, with the expectation that the supported work will include a clinical trial element and will follow NIH clinical trial policies and application requirements.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award for Established Investigators (K18 Clinical Trial Required)" 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 2024-02-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• 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 24 140

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