Advancing Screening, Diagnosis, and Referral for Late Talking Children

The National Institutes of Health’s TALK initiative is planning a discretionary grant opportunity to support research that improves the earliest steps in clinical practice for late talking children. The work is aimed at developing and evaluating evidence-based practices and implementation strategies to identify early signs of late talking and to guide parents, caregivers, and professionals in responding at the first point of concern. The focus includes children birth to three years in relevant settings such as primary care, specialty care, educational settings, and early childhood community settings, with community partnerships and community engaged research described as key requirements. Applications are not being solicited yet, and the estimated synopsis date is May 3, 2027 with an estimated close date of October 15, 2027; the award ceiling is $500,000 and the contact is TALK@nih.gov.