Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 06 547
Apply for PA 06 547
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "New Technology to Screen for Mild Hearing Loss in Children (STTR R41/R42)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2009 and posted on Sep 8, 2006.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2009 Multiple Receipt Dates See Link to Full Announcement for details.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses.
- Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In STTR Phase I and Phase II, at least 40 of the work must be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 of the work must be performed by the single, partnering research institution. The basis for determining the percentage of work to be performed by each of the cooperative parties will be the total of direct and F and A/indirect costs attributable to each party, unless otherwise described and justified in Item 12, Consortium/Contractual Arrangements, of the PHS398 Research Plan component of the SF424 (R and R) application forms. The NIH will accept as many different applications as the applicant organization chooses. However, the NIH will not accept similar grant applications with essentially the same research focus from the same applicant organization. This includes derivative or multiple applications that propose to develop a single product, process or service that, with non substantive modifications, can be applied to a variety of purposes. Applicants may not simultaneously submit identical/essentially identical applications under both this funding opportunity and another HHS FOA, including the current SBIR or STTR Parent FOAs.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity "New Technology to Screen for Mild Hearing Loss in Children (STTR R41/R42)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-06-547) is a discretionary NIH grant program focused on improving how mild hearing loss is detected in infants and young children. The central problem it targets is that many existing screening approaches are not consistently sensitive to mild hearing loss, typically defined here as hearing thresholds under 40 dB Hearing Level (less than 40 dB HL) in one or both ears. The FOA is looking for small business-led projects that either modify existing screening tools or develop entirely new screening technologies that can reliably identify these mild losses without creating a big increase in false positives, meaning children who fail the screening even though they do not actually have hearing loss. The practical emphasis is on better screening performance in real-world early childhood settings, where accuracy matters not only for finding children who need help but also for avoiding unnecessary follow-up testing and stress for families.
This program sits within a broader public health goal shared by NIH and partners involved in early hearing detection: identifying hearing loss as early as possible so children can access timely intervention. The announcement specifically highlights the role of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) at NIH, and it notes alignment with the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) effort associated with CDC work. Even though CDC is mentioned as a collaborating partner in the overall effort, the FOA clarifies an important administrative point: CDC does not accept STTR applications. As a result, CDC participation applies to the parallel SBIR announcement (PA-06-546), while this specific announcement (PA-06-547) is strictly the NIH STTR pathway.
The funding mechanism is STTR, using the R41/R42 structure, which supports a phased development approach. Phase I (R41) generally supports early proof-of-concept work and feasibility testing, Phase II (R42) supports further research and development toward a more mature product or system, and a Fast-Track option is available for applicants prepared to propose a combined Phase I/Phase II plan. This structure is designed for technologies that need iterative development, validation, and refinement, which fits well with screening tools that must demonstrate both sensitivity for mild hearing loss and acceptable specificity to keep false positives low.
Eligibility is centered on small business concerns, with STTR-specific collaboration requirements. In both Phase I and Phase II, at least 40 percent of the work must be performed by the small business, and at least 30 percent must be performed by a single partnering research institution. The percentages are calculated based on the total of direct and indirect (facilities and administrative) costs assigned to each party, unless an alternative approach is explicitly justified in the application under the consortium/contractual arrangements section. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. The FOA also spells out rules intended to prevent duplicative submissions: an organization may submit multiple different applications, but NIH will not accept multiple applications from the same organization that are essentially the same in focus (including minor variations of the same proposed product aimed at different uses). Applicants also may not submit identical or essentially identical applications under this FOA and another HHS funding opportunity at the same time, including the SBIR/STTR parent announcements.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a grant in the health activity area, tied to CFDA number 93.173 (Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders), and it does not require cost sharing or matching. The original posting date is September 8, 2006, with multiple receipt dates referenced in the full announcement, and the opportunity closed on September 7, 2009, with an archive date of October 7, 2009. In other words, it is an older, time-limited solicitation rather than an open, continuously active program, but it provides a clear example of how NIH uses STTR to push targeted advances in pediatric screening technology.
In summary, PA-06-547 funds small business and research-institution teams to create or improve screening technologies that can more consistently detect mild hearing loss in very young children while avoiding an unacceptable rise in false alarms. The intent is to strengthen early identification, support earlier intervention, and improve outcomes, while also making screening programs more efficient and less burdensome for families and healthcare systems. For applicants who needed technical assistance accessing the announcement, the listed support contact is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "New Technology to Screen for Mild Hearing Loss in Children (STTR R41/R42)" opportunity?
It is a discretionary NIH grant program (Funding Opportunity Number PA-06-547) that supports small business-led research and development to improve how mild hearing loss is detected in infants and young children, using the STTR R41/R42 mechanism.
What problem is the FOA trying to solve?
The announcement targets a gap in pediatric hearing screening: many existing screening approaches are not consistently sensitive to mild hearing loss in very young children. The goal is to improve screening performance so mild losses are detected more reliably in real-world early childhood settings.
How does this FOA define "mild hearing loss" for screening purposes?
In this announcement, mild hearing loss is typically defined as hearing thresholds under 40 dB Hearing Level (less than 40 dB HL) in one or both ears.
What kinds of projects does PA-06-547 support?
The FOA supports small business-led projects that either (1) modify existing screening tools or (2) develop entirely new screening technologies that can reliably identify mild hearing loss in infants and young children.
What performance improvements is NIH looking for in proposed screening technologies?
The emphasis is on improving sensitivity for mild hearing loss while avoiding a major increase in false positives (children who fail the screening even though they do not actually have hearing loss). The practical focus is strong performance in real-world early childhood screening environments.
Why is limiting false positives highlighted as a key requirement?
Because higher false-positive rates can lead to unnecessary follow-up testing and added stress for families. The FOA underscores that screening accuracy matters not only for identifying children who need help, but also for reducing avoidable burden on families and the healthcare system.
Which NIH institute is specifically referenced in the announcement?
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is specifically highlighted in connection with this opportunity.
How does this opportunity relate to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)?
The FOA aligns with the broader public health goal of identifying hearing loss as early as possible so children can access timely intervention. It notes alignment with the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) effort associated with CDC work.
Is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) involved in this STTR opportunity?
CDC is mentioned as a collaborating partner in the overall early hearing detection effort, but the FOA states an important administrative limitation: CDC does not accept STTR applications.
If CDC does not accept STTR applications, where does CDC participation apply?
According to the FOA, CDC participation applies to the parallel SBIR announcement (PA-06-546). PA-06-547 is strictly the NIH STTR pathway.
What funding mechanism is used for PA-06-547?
The mechanism is STTR using the R41/R42 structure, supporting a phased development approach for technology development and refinement.
What is the difference between Phase I (R41) and Phase II (R42) under this FOA?
Phase I (R41) generally supports early proof-of-concept work and feasibility testing. Phase II (R42) supports further research and development toward a more mature product or system.
Is a Fast-Track option available?
Yes. The FOA notes a Fast-Track option for applicants prepared to propose a combined Phase I/Phase II plan.
Who is eligible to apply under this STTR opportunity?
Eligibility is centered on small business concerns applying through the STTR pathway and partnering with a research institution as required by STTR rules described in the announcement.
What are the STTR work-sharing requirements between the small business and the research institution?
In both Phase I and Phase II, at least 40% of the work must be performed by the small business and at least 30% must be performed by a single partnering research institution.
How are the STTR work percentages calculated?
The FOA states that the percentages are calculated based on the total of direct and indirect (facilities and administrative) costs assigned to each party, unless an alternative approach is explicitly justified in the application under the consortium/contractual arrangements section.
Can a foreign institution apply for this opportunity?
No. The FOA states that foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
Can an organization submit more than one application to PA-06-547?
An organization may submit multiple different applications. However, NIH will not accept multiple applications from the same organization that are essentially the same in focus, including minor variations of the same proposed product aimed at different uses.
Can applicants submit the same project to this FOA and to another HHS opportunity at the same time?
No. Applicants may not submit identical or essentially identical applications under this FOA and another HHS funding opportunity at the same time, including the SBIR/STTR parent announcements.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The FOA states that cost sharing/matching is not required.
How is this opportunity categorized (activity area and CFDA number)?
It is categorized as a grant in the health activity area and is tied to CFDA number 93.173 (Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders).
When was this FOA posted, and is it still open?
The original posting date is September 8, 2006. The opportunity closed on September 7, 2009, and it has an archive date of October 7, 2009. It is an older, time-limited solicitation rather than an open, currently active program.
Were there multiple receipt dates?
Yes. The FOA indicates that multiple receipt dates were referenced in the full announcement.
What is the main intended outcome of funded projects under PA-06-547?
The intent is to create or improve screening technologies that more consistently detect mild hearing loss in very young children while keeping false alarms at an acceptable level, strengthening early identification and supporting earlier intervention.
Why is real-world screening performance emphasized?
The FOA highlights practical early childhood settings where screening tools must perform accurately. Better real-world performance supports efficient screening programs and helps avoid unnecessary follow-up and family stress.
Who is listed as the support contact for technical assistance accessing the announcement?
The NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster is listed as the support contact for technical assistance accessing the announcement.
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