Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders Conference (U13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DC 24 009

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DC 24 009

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting applications to plan and run an annual conference focused on dissemination and implementation (D and I) research skills that are relevant across all NIDCD mission areas. In practical terms, the conference is meant to strengthen the field's ability to move evidence-based findings, interventions, and practices into real-world settings and routine care, with topics spanning hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. The opportunity is framed around building capacity and shared expertise in D and I methods, approaches, and skill sets, rather than supporting clinical trials (the announcement is explicitly "Clinical Trial Not Allowed").

This funding uses the NIH U13 mechanism, which is specifically designed for scientific meetings such as conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops, and other formally organized gatherings. NIDCD makes clear that the meeting can be held in person or virtually, as long as it is structured around convening participants to coordinate, exchange, and disseminate information or to explore a defined scientific or public health topic. The emphasis is on an organized event with clear objectives, programming, and an identifiable audience, rather than an informal networking gathering. Because it is a conference grant, the core deliverable is the successful organization and execution of the annual meeting and the associated outputs that typically come with it (for example, agendas, speaker lineups, training components, and dissemination of meeting products).

The award is a cooperative agreement, meaning NIDCD expects substantial federal scientific or programmatic involvement before and after the award is made. This is different from many standard research grants where the funded organization operates with more independence. Here, NIDCD staff are anticipated to assist, guide, coordinate, or participate in project activities in a meaningful way. Applicants should therefore expect an interactive relationship with NIDCD during planning and follow-through, such as aligning the meeting's scope with institute priorities, coordinating on program elements, and ensuring the conference supports broad D and I skill development relevant to communication disorders.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible organizations. The announcement also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth signals an interest in drawing leadership and participation from a wide range of institutions that can reach diverse professional communities and trainee populations.

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, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which typically means certain project elements may occur outside the U.S. or involve foreign collaborations when justified and appropriately structured, even though the applicant organization itself must be domestic. Applicants contemplating international speakers, content, or limited international activities would still need to structure plans within NIH policy and the specific restrictions listed in the opportunity.

Key administrative details included in the notice are that the funding opportunity title is "Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders Conference (U13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," the funding opportunity number is RFA-DC-24-009, and the activity falls under the health category with CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 93.173. The original closing date listed is November 25, 2024, and the opportunity was created on July 29, 2024. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source text, so applicants would typically need to consult the full announcement or NIH communications for budget expectations, project period limits, and any institute-specific caps or guidance.

Overall, this opportunity is aimed at establishing or sustaining an annual, NIDCD-relevant D and I training and knowledge-sharing conference that helps researchers and stakeholders better understand how to implement evidence-based practices in the real world across communication disorders. The funding mechanism and cooperative structure suggest NIDCD wants an active role in shaping a high-quality, mission-aligned meeting that builds practical D and I competencies and supports broader uptake of effective interventions and services in the communities and settings where patients and the public are actually served.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders Conference (U13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2024-07-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA DC 24 009

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: