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

The NIDCD's Mentored Research Education Pathway for Otolaryngology Residents and Medical Students (R25) aims to support educational activities that encourage individuals with clinical and specialty training to pursue research careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences. Administered by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) through the NIH Research Education Program, this grant seeks to address the shortage of clinician-investigators by supporting programs that provide mentored research experiences and professional development during the medical school and residency periods. It is a reissue of RFA-DC-20-002 and does not allow clinical trials. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to recruit and prepare medical students and otolaryngology resident-investigators for careers as clinician-scientists. Through hands-on research training and education, the program intends to provide residents and students with structured research experiences that enhance their capacity to engage in clinical investigations. Participants are expected to engage in hypothesis-driven and reproducible research and build foundational research skills under the guidance of experienced mentors. The scope of funding includes salary support for resident-investigators for up to 24 months during their residency, research and technical support, travel to scientific meetings, and registration for relevant workshops. Medical students may receive funding for short-term or up to 9-month research appointments. Supplementary support may also include research supplies and mentor skill development. Institutional applications should demonstrate how they will integrate clinical and research training to maintain board eligibility and should propose customized timelines for research experiences. Eligible applicants include a wide array of U.S.-based organizations such as public and private higher education institutions, local and state governments, Native American tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, and small and large for-profit businesses. Foreign organizations are not eligible. Applications must demonstrate institutional commitment to the success of participants, including resources, mentorship, and support structures. To apply, applicants must follow NIH's electronic submission process using ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system. Required documents include institutional commitment letters, detailed data tables, and information on the research and mentoring environment. Specific application dates are outlined throughout the year, and all submissions are due by 5:00 PM local time. Letters of intent are due on May 14, 2024, with the first application deadline on June 14, 2024. Future deadlines occur in September and January through 2026. Applications will be evaluated for overall impact, including significance, innovation, approach, and environment. Proposals must include plans for instruction in responsible conduct of research, methods to enhance reproducibility, and program evaluation metrics. Successful applications will be selected based on peer review, alignment with program goals, and availability of funding. Contact points for scientific, peer review, and financial questions are provided in the funding notice.