In Vivo High-Resolution Imaging for Inner Ear Visualization (R01 Clinical Trial optional) | RFA DC 25 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DC 25 005

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering an R01 grant opportunity titled "In Vivo High-Resolution Imaging for Inner Ear Visualization (Clinical Trial Optional)" under funding opportunity number RFA-DC-25-005 (CFDA 93.173). The core goal is to drive major advances in how the living human inner ear can be imaged, both structurally and functionally, with far better resolution and accuracy than what is currently achievable in clinical practice. The emphasis is on technologies that can work in vivo and ultimately in awake patients, in real-world clinical settings, using non-invasive approaches.

The scientific focus is on developing or substantially improving imaging methods that can reveal inner ear anatomy and physiology in much greater detail, including the ability to capture dynamic or time-varying processes rather than only static snapshots. The opportunity explicitly highlights the importance of being able to visualize fine inner ear features and components such as hair cells, otoliths, membranes, ions, and vasculature. Projects can propose improvements to existing imaging modalities (for example, pushing spatial resolution, contrast, speed, motion robustness, or interpretability) or propose entirely new approaches that overcome current limitations in seeing small, delicate, and deeply embedded inner ear structures.

In addition to hardware and imaging-method development, the announcement encourages the creation of new imaging probes or contrast agents that specifically enhance visualization of inner ear structures or functions. In practice, that could include strategies that improve signal specificity, increase contrast between adjacent microstructures, enable tracking of fluid or ionic movement, or make vascular and cellular-level features more distinguishable. The overall expectation is that funded work will move the field closer to clinically usable tools that can show inner ear microanatomy and function at a level of detail that is currently out of reach, without relying on invasive procedures.

A multidisciplinary team approach is strongly encouraged. The reason is straightforward: achieving high-resolution, in vivo inner ear imaging typically requires coordinated expertise across fields such as otolaryngology, radiology, biomedical engineering, physics, optics, MRI/CT technology, computational imaging, image reconstruction, contrast chemistry, and clinical translation. Competitive applications will generally be those that clearly integrate these strengths and show how each contributor helps solve specific technical and translational bottlenecks.

On study populations and development pathway, the opportunity allows research in humans and also permits intermediate animal studies, but it excludes non-mammalian species. If animal work is included, applicants are expected to clearly explain how the approach will translate to awake human use, or, if the method is only feasible in anesthetized humans, to be explicit about those limitations and why the results would still be useful. The underlying message is that feasibility demonstrations should not be isolated technical proofs; they should map to a credible path toward clinical application in living people.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant using the NIH R01 mechanism, and clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may include a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the technology development and evaluation plan, but it is not required. The original closing date listed is 2026-10-01, and the award ceiling is $500,000. While the listing notes "ExpectedAwards:" without a number, applicants should interpret that as uncertainty in the number of awards and plan accordingly, focusing on strong justification, milestones, and a realistic translation strategy.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations: state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an intent to draw on wide-ranging expertise where it exists.

In practical terms, the grant is aimed at teams that can push inner ear imaging beyond current clinical constraints and convincingly argue that their approach can be used on living humans, ideally awake, to observe extremely small structures and functional dynamics with high fidelity. The strongest proposals will typically combine technical innovation (resolution, contrast, motion handling, or new probes), validation steps (bench, phantom, animal, and/or human), and a clear translation plan that shows how the resulting technology could become a usable clinical imaging tool rather than remaining a laboratory demonstration.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "In Vivo High-Resolution Imaging for Inner Ear Visualization (R01 Clinical Trial optional)" 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 2025-01-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-01. (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.
• 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.

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