National Resource Network for the Study of Human Auditory and Vestibular Disorders (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Solicitation RFA-DC-28-001 is a Notice of Funding Opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health under the Department of Health and Human Services to support the NIDCD National Human Ear Resource Network. The objective is to maintain a collaborative network of laboratories that serve as a national technological resource, providing human inner and middle ear tissues to researchers for basic and clinical studies to advance the treatment of auditory and vestibular disorders. The scope of work includes processing human temporal bones from the National Hearing and Balance Organ Donor Program, uploading images and medical data to EarBase, sharing gene-expression data via the gEAR repository, and providing technical instruction to increase the number of skilled researchers in the field. The NIDCD intends to commit 3.6 million dollars in FY 2028 to fund up to six awards, with a maximum project period of five years. Individual awards are limited to 450,000 dollars in direct costs per year, with an additional 150,000 dollars available for specific subawards. Applications are due on March 05, 2027, and November 01, 2027, with staggered start dates ranging from July 2027 to July 2028. Evaluation is based on the experience of the investigators, the adequacy of the institutional environment, and the protection of human subjects. Applicants must maintain active SAM registration and a Unique Entity Identifier, and they must provide a Data Management and Sharing Plan and a Material Transfer Agreement. Compliance with the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 is required, including the development of an incident response plan and notification of cybersecurity incidents within 48 hours of discovery.