Advancing Hearing and Balance Research Using Auditory and Vestibular Organoids (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) has put forth an initiative aimed at fostering research into the development, characterization, and reliability of human auditory and vestibular organoids. This grant titled "Advancing Hearing and Balance Research Using Auditory and Vestibular Organoids" does not allow for clinical trials.

While the initiative is open to studies investigating animal organoids, they must be done alongside comparative or integrated companion studies with human organoids because singular animal organoid studies won't be accepted.

The main objective is to stimulate innovative and novel approaches that will enhance the reproducibility and durability of hearing and balance sensory organoids as model systems. The NIDCD highly encourages the creation of innovative tools to help introduce genes, proteins, molecules, and synthetics that may enhance the growth and longevity of organoid populations in a consistent, reliable manner.

Further, grant applicants should plan to demonstrate that the organoid platforms can emulate and reproduce original biological function. Applications should present strategies that alleviate existing hurdles and minimize challenges to improve the current reproducibility and reliability. Approaches and technologies that represent significant breakthroughs utilizing human auditory and vestibular organoids are highly favored.