Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DC 17 002
Apply for RFA DC 17 002
- The HHS-NIH11 in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Noise-Induced Synaptopathy in the Human Auditory System (R01)" 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 Jan 22, 2016 and posted on Jan 22, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 24, 2017. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Noise-Induced Synaptopathy in the Human Auditory System (R01) funding opportunity (RFA-DC-17-002) is a discretionary NIH research grant announcement from HHS/NIH (CFDA 93.173) aimed at answering a specific and clinically important question: whether noise exposure can cause cochlear synaptopathy in humans. Cochlear synaptopathy refers to damage or loss of the synapses that connect inner hair cells in the cochlea to auditory nerve fibers, a form of injury that may occur even when standard hearing tests appear relatively normal. The FOA emphasizes human-focused work, seeking studies that can determine the presence of this type of noise-related synaptic injury in people and clarify what it means for real-world hearing function.
The scope of supported research includes, but is not limited to, developing or validating ways to diagnose or detect noise-induced synaptopathy in humans and determining the functional consequences of such damage. In practice, this could encompass studies that refine auditory testing methods, identify physiological or behavioral markers that reveal hidden neural damage, or link measurable signs of synaptopathy to everyday listening problems (for example, difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments). The announcement signals interest in research that bridges basic auditory neuroscience and human health outcomes, with an emphasis on translating mechanistic insight into tools or knowledge that matter clinically.
While the FOA is centered on human auditory systems, it allows animal studies as potentially responsive when they are clearly and directly tied to human applicability. That means animal work would need to be framed as supporting, calibrating, or validating human measures, or otherwise providing a clear translational pathway rather than standing alone as purely preclinical research. The announcement also encourages multi-disciplinary teams, reflecting the complexity of the topic and the likelihood that progress will require combined expertise in areas such as audiology, otolaryngology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, biostatistics, and clinical study design.
In terms of administrative details, this opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism and was posted on January 22, 2016, with an original and current closing date of January 24, 2017. The expected number of awards is three, and the listed award ceiling is $500,000. Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations: federal recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities as specified in the FOA’s eligibility clarifications. Overall, the opportunity is designed to stimulate targeted, translational research that can demonstrate whether noise-induced synaptopathy is a real and measurable condition in humans and establish how it impacts hearing health and function.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Noise-Induced Synaptopathy in the Human Auditory System (R01) and is associated with FOA number RFA-DC-17-002.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary NIH research grant announcement from HHS/NIH.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.173.
What is the main scientific question the FOA is trying to answer?
The FOA is aimed at answering a specific, clinically important question: whether noise exposure can cause cochlear synaptopathy in humans.
What is cochlear synaptopathy?
Cochlear synaptopathy refers to damage or loss of the synapses that connect inner hair cells in the cochlea to auditory nerve fibers. This type of injury may occur even when standard hearing tests appear relatively normal.
Why does the FOA emphasize human-focused research?
The announcement emphasizes human-focused work because it is seeking studies that can determine whether noise-related synaptic injury exists in people and clarify what it means for real-world hearing function.
What kinds of research projects are considered within scope?
The scope includes (but is not limited to) projects that:
- Develop or validate methods to diagnose or detect noise-induced synaptopathy in humans
- Determine the functional consequences of synaptic damage in human hearing
- Refine auditory testing methods to reveal neural damage that standard tests may miss
- Identify physiological or behavioral markers associated with hidden neural damage
- Link measurable signs of synaptopathy to everyday listening problems, such as understanding speech in noisy environments
Does the FOA support work that connects basic science to clinical outcomes?
Yes. The announcement signals interest in research that bridges basic auditory neuroscience and human health outcomes, with an emphasis on translating mechanistic insight into clinically relevant tools or knowledge.
Are animal studies allowed under this FOA?
Animal studies can be responsive only when they are clearly and directly tied to human applicability. Animal work is expected to support, calibrate, or validate human measures, or otherwise have a clear translational pathway rather than being purely preclinical.
What does the FOA mean by "functional consequences" of synaptopathy?
Based on the description provided, functional consequences refer to how synaptic injury may affect real-world hearing performance, including difficulties that may not be captured by standard hearing tests (for example, difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments).
What grant mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on January 22, 2016.
What is the application deadline (closing date)?
The original and current closing date listed is January 24, 2017.
How many awards are expected?
The expected number of awards is three (3).
What is the award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $500,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations, including:
- Federal recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
- State and local governments
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Special district governments
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other entities as specified in the FOA's eligibility clarifications
Does the FOA encourage collaboration across disciplines?
Yes. The announcement encourages multi-disciplinary teams, reflecting the complexity of the topic and the need for combined expertise (for example, audiology, otolaryngology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, biostatistics, and clinical study design).
What is the overall purpose of the funding opportunity?
The opportunity is designed to stimulate targeted, translational research that can:
- Demonstrate whether noise-induced synaptopathy is a real and measurable condition in humans
- Establish how such synaptic injury impacts hearing health and function
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