DoW Hearing Restoration Focused Research Award

The Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP) is offering a Focused Research Award to independent investigators. This program supports basic through translational research aimed at accelerating drug discovery and therapeutic development for hearing restoration following military-relevant auditory system injuries. The award mechanism includes two funding levels: Level 1 for exploratory, high-risk research with a maximum of $400,000 over two years, and Level 2 for research advancing toward clinical translation, requiring preliminary data, with a maximum of $1.2 million over three years. A new Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option is available for Level 2, allowing two investigators to collaborate and receive separate awards. A letter of intent is required by August 25, 2026, followed by the full application submission deadline of September 10, 2026.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Hearing Restoration Research Program (HRRP) is offering a Focused Research Award to support promising basic through translational research aimed at accelerating drug discovery and therapeutic development for hearing restoration after military-relevant auditory system injury. This award mechanism, open to independent investigators, requires a letter of intent prior to full application. It supports preclinical studies and clinical research but excludes clinical trials. Two funding levels are available: Level 1 for exploratory, high-risk research with a maximum of $400,000 over two years, and Level 2 for research advancing toward clinical translation, offering up to $1.2 million over three years. Level 2 also includes a new Partnering Principal Investigator option for collaborative projects. Preliminary data is optional for Level 1 but required for Level 2. The pre-application deadline is August 25, 2026, and the full application is due by September 10, 2026.