The following are Eligibility Requirements for Applicants for ERG Grants:
- Applicants should demonstrate experience and strong research training as well as sufficient institutional support (facilities and time as well as mentorship, if applicable) to carry out the proposed work.
- Applicants must hold an M.D., Ph.D., Au.D. or equivalent degree.
- The applicant must hold an appointment at a non-profit educational, governmental or research institution within the United States. Appointments for this purpose may include faculty, postdoctoral fellow, or clinical/research fellow. Otolaryngology residents are eligible to apply. Other medical residents and graduate students are not eligible to apply.
- The proposed research must address one of the hearing and balance topics advertised in the ERG Request for Applications. In the application, the applicant must provide justification for the relevance of the proposed research to the designated ERG topic area.
- PIs in early stages of independent research careers are especially encouraged to apply.
HHF Emerging Research Grants are intended primarily for promising researchers who are in the early stages of their careers and focusing on hearing loss, hearing restoration and hearing and balance related conditions.
In addition, the following are Eligibility Requirements for “General Hearing Health” applicants (Limited to Early Stage Investigators (ESI)):
- PIs should be in the early stages of independent research careers (within 10 years of completing a terminal degree).
- If the applicant is a postdoctoral fellow, it is expected that the applicant will be at the senior level (e.g., 3 or more years of postdoctoral training).
- Further, the applicant must demonstrate a pathway to professional independence in the application. Specifically, the applicant should indicate how the Grant will help with the applicant’s transition toward independence from the mentor, including how the proposed research is distinct from the mentor's research program.
- Applicants cannot be a current or prior PI on a major independent research award (e.g., R00, R03, R21, R01, K Award, VA Merit, DoD, or equivalent) at the time of initial application. Prior appointment on fellowship or training grants, or prior service as a PI on a mentored career development award, is allowable.
- Applicants may not concurrently receive support for the proposed project of more than $100,000 per annum in direct costs from any other combined source(s) during the Project Period.
Individuals employed or otherwise conducting research at institutions outside of the United States are not eligible to apply.
Non-tax-exempt organizations: Domestic non-profit, tax-exempt institutions must be recognized by the Treasury Department as a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) or as eligible for tax deductible contributions under Internal Revenue Code section 170(c)(1) or section 170(c)(2). Grants are made solely to tax-exempt organizations to support research directed at those institutions by investigators who are on their staff or are otherwise formally attached to them.
Applications for research continuation or bridge funding should not be submitted.
Grant funds may not be used for the following:
- Salary of Principal Investigator, co-investigator or individuals with a doctoral degree;
- Equipment under $5,000 (i.e., office equipment such as laptops, printers, etc.)
- Living expenses;
- Reprints;
- Overhead costs exceeding 10% of project costs; or
- Public information, education programs or training costs (including tuition).
