Advancing Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 19 047

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 19 047

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Advancing Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-19-047; CFDA: 93.173) supports Research Project Grant (R01) applications focused on improving what we know about how to evaluate and treat people with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI). The core goal is to advance rigorous research that strengthens the evidence base behind AAC tools, systems, and intervention strategies, with an emphasis on real-world communication challenges. AAC is broadly defined here as the set of tools and strategies individuals use to communicate when natural speech is not sufficient, and the opportunity highlights the large global population that relies on AAC to participate in daily life at home, in school, at work, and in the community.

This announcement is specifically limited to the R01 mechanism, which typically funds substantial, multi-year research projects, and it allows (but does not require) clinical trials, meaning applicants can propose studies that range from non-clinical foundational work through to human intervention research. The FOA explicitly welcomes a wide research scope, including basic research (for example, studies that build foundational knowledge about communication processes or AAC user needs), clinical research (for example, testing assessment approaches or interventions with AAC users), and translational research (for example, moving promising methods or technologies into practical, scalable clinical or educational use). In practical terms, it is designed to support projects that can meaningfully improve how AAC is selected, customized, taught, evaluated, and implemented for individuals with SSPI.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that could reasonably conduct AAC research. Eligible applicants include federal, state, county, and local government entities; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; and a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit organizations (excluding small business restrictions since both small businesses and other for-profits are listed as eligible). It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments), along with public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. In addition, the announcement calls out other eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Faith-based and community-based organizations may apply, as can regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), which signals an intent to encourage broad participation and potentially diverse populations, settings, and perspectives.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant in the health funding category, issued by NIH. The source information lists an original closing date of January 7, 2022, and does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, which usually means applicants should rely on the full FOA and NIH institute guidance for budget expectations, paylines, and submission cycles. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at strengthening AAC science from multiple angles, with the practical endpoint of improving communication outcomes and quality of life for people who cannot rely on natural speech and who face significant speech and physical challenges.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (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 2018-10-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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 PA 19 047

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