Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) awarded the University of Virginia a Project Grant totaling $666,185 (Award Date: August 1, 2026; Completion Date: July 31, 2031) under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173). The award funds a five-year research initiative to evaluate the effectiveness of olfactory training as a therapeutic intervention for post-viral olfactory loss. This research addresses a significant public health need, as olfactory dysfunction affects approximately 22% of the adult population, with an estimated 20% of individuals experiencing olfactory loss following the recent pandemic potentially facing permanent smell dysfunction.

The primary deliverable is a real-world clinical assessment of olfactory training efficacy—a therapeutic approach in which patients with olfactory dysfunction systematically smell odorants twice daily over 3–6 months. Despite widespread recommendation by patient advocacy groups and chemosensory specialists, limited evidence exists regarding the intervention's effectiveness across specific patient populations and clinical contexts. The research will determine differential therapeutic outcomes based on the distinct mechanisms of olfactory damage associated with different etiologies, thereby filling a critical evidence gap to inform treatment protocols for smell disorders, which significantly impact quality of life, nutrition, social engagement, and overall health outcomes.