Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) awarded $334,444 to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEE) on July 2, 2026, under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173) to establish a structured research training program in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS). The award funds a two-year research training experience for one clinical residency trainee per year and nine-month research experiences for two medical students annually through June 30, 2031. Trainees will receive mentorship in established laboratories conducted by peer-reviewed research-funded faculty members at MEE and affiliated institutions, with research opportunities spanning basic, clinical, and translational investigations in hearing, balance, laryngology, voice, molecular biology and genetics, head and neck neoplasia, rhinologic disease, neuroscience, and implantable device development.

The program delivers educational training designed to prepare carefully selected trainees for academic careers as independent clinician-scientists capable of successfully competing for peer-reviewed research funding. Key program components include didactic instruction in responsible conduct of research and research methodology, as well as mentorship in the federal funding application process. Residency and medical school applicant selection committees, which include research community representatives, will identify trainees from annual applicant pools drawn from OHNS residency candidates and medical students at Harvard Medical School and other institutions.