Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DC 27 003
This NIH funding opportunity (RFA-DC-27-003) supports R01 research projects aimed at creating or adapting transformative imaging methods that can visualize the living human olfactory system with much higher spatial and temporal resolution, and with greater biological specificity, than what is currently possible. Led by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) in partnership with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), the program is motivated by a major gap in the field: clinicians and researchers still have limited non-invasive or minimally invasive ways to image the peripheral and central olfactory system in vivo, even though such imaging is critical for understanding normal olfactory biology, identifying mechanisms of disease, and improving diagnosis and management of olfactory disorders.
The opportunity emphasizes that imaging the olfactory system is unusually difficult for several reasons tied to its anatomy and function. Key targets can be hard to access, the tissue contains multiple interacting cell types, and signals can be weak or poorly resolved with conventional approaches. Because of these constraints, the NOFO encourages multimodal strategies that either leverage cutting-edge existing technologies or develop new tools specifically tailored to olfactory structures. The goal is not incremental improvement, but a clear step-change in what can be visualized and measured in humans, particularly for structures such as the olfactory epithelium (including both olfactory and non-olfactory epithelium) and central components like the olfactory bulb.
In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose advanced non-invasive or minimally invasive imaging approaches capable of capturing olfactory anatomy and/or function across scales, from cellular and microstructural detail to larger-scale system organization, in ways that were previously unattainable in living humans. The NOFO points to several technology directions that may enable this, including (but not limited to) cell-specific biomarkers, fluorescence-based methods, specialized endoscopes, optical imaging, acoustic imaging, molecular imaging, and hemodynamic and diffusion-based imaging. A strong application would typically explain how the chosen modality (or combination of modalities) overcomes current limitations in accessibility, specificity, resolution, and signal quality, and how it can be deployed realistically in vivo with an eye toward eventual clinical or translational impact, such as improving the diagnostic accuracy of olfactory disorders.
The program also stresses the importance of multidisciplinary teams. Competitive projects are expected to integrate expertise in olfaction with relevant technical disciplines such as biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, and biophysics. This reflects the complexity of the problem: advancing olfactory imaging often requires coordinated development of hardware, probes or contrast mechanisms, acquisition strategies, and computational or analytical pipelines, alongside deep biological and clinical knowledge of olfactory tissues and disorders.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity using the NIH R01 mechanism (clinical trial optional, as indicated by the title). The estimated award ceiling is $500,000, and NIH anticipates making about 3 awards. The original closing date listed is 2028-08-21. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit organizations (including small businesses). Foreign participation is explicitly restricted: non-U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.
Overall, the NOFO is designed to accelerate breakthroughs in human in vivo olfactory imaging by funding ambitious, technology-forward R01 projects that deliver substantially improved resolution and specificity for key peripheral and central olfactory targets, enabling better mechanistic science and laying groundwork for improved clinical evaluation of smell disorders.Apply for RFA DC 27 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Transformative Non-Invasive/Minimally Invasive Technologies for Imaging the Olfactory System Across Scales (R01 CT Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.286.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-08-21.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- 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.
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FAQs: NIH RFA-DC-27-003 (R01) - Transformative Imaging of the Living Human Olfactory System
What is the goal of this NIH funding opportunity?
The goal is to support R01 research projects that create or adapt transformative imaging methods to visualize the living human olfactory system with much higher spatial and temporal resolution and greater biological specificity than is currently possible. The emphasis is on a clear step-change in capability, not small or incremental improvements.
Which NIH institutes are leading this program?
This funding opportunity is led by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) in partnership with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB).
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
The opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism.
Are clinical trials required under this R01?
No. The notice indicates "clinical trial optional," meaning a clinical trial is not required for all projects under this opportunity.
What problem or gap is this NOFO trying to solve?
The program is motivated by a major gap in the field: clinicians and researchers still have limited non-invasive or minimally invasive ways to image the peripheral and central olfactory system in vivo. This limits the ability to understand normal olfactory biology, identify mechanisms of disease, and improve diagnosis and management of olfactory disorders.
Why is imaging the olfactory system especially difficult?
The NOFO highlights several challenges tied to olfactory anatomy and function. Key targets can be hard to access, the tissue includes multiple interacting cell types, and signals can be weak or poorly resolved using conventional imaging approaches.
What types of imaging approaches does the NOFO encourage?
The NOFO encourages advanced non-invasive or minimally invasive imaging approaches and specifically notes that multimodal strategies may be important. Projects can leverage cutting-edge existing technologies or develop new tools tailored to olfactory structures, as long as they deliver substantially improved resolution and specificity in living humans.
What kinds of technologies or directions are mentioned as potentially relevant?
The NOFO lists several technology directions that may enable progress, including (but not limited to) cell-specific biomarkers, fluorescence-based methods, specialized endoscopes, optical imaging, acoustic imaging, molecular imaging, and hemodynamic and diffusion-based imaging.
Is the NOFO focused on anatomy, function, or both?
Both. Applicants are expected to propose approaches capable of capturing olfactory anatomy and/or function across scales, from cellular and microstructural detail to larger-scale system organization, in ways that were previously unattainable in living humans.
Which olfactory structures are called out as important targets?
The NOFO specifically highlights key peripheral and central targets, including the olfactory epithelium (including both olfactory and non-olfactory epithelium) and central components such as the olfactory bulb.
What does "transformative" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this NOFO, "transformative" refers to advances that produce a clear step-change in what can be visualized and measured in living humans, especially in terms of spatial and temporal resolution and biological specificity, rather than modest upgrades to current methods.
What would a strong application typically explain?
A strong application would typically explain how the proposed imaging modality (or combination of modalities) overcomes current limitations in accessibility, specificity, resolution, and signal quality. It should also describe how the approach can realistically be deployed in vivo and how it supports eventual clinical or translational impact, such as improving diagnostic accuracy for olfactory disorders.
Does the program expect multimodal imaging approaches?
The NOFO encourages multimodal strategies, especially where combining modalities helps address constraints like access to targets, weak signals, or limited specificity. Multimodal approaches are not described as mandatory, but they are clearly encouraged.
What level of resolution and specificity is the program seeking?
The program seeks imaging methods that provide much higher spatial and temporal resolution and greater biological specificity than what is currently possible for in vivo imaging of the human olfactory system.
What is the expected translational or clinical relevance?
The NOFO emphasizes eventual clinical or translational impact, including enabling better mechanistic science and laying groundwork for improved clinical evaluation of smell disorders. One example noted is improving diagnostic accuracy for olfactory disorders.
What kinds of teams are expected to be competitive?
The program stresses multidisciplinary teams. Competitive projects are expected to integrate olfaction expertise with relevant technical disciplines such as biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, and biophysics.
Why does the NOFO emphasize multidisciplinary collaboration?
Because advancing olfactory imaging often requires coordinated development across multiple areas: hardware, probes or contrast mechanisms, acquisition strategies, and computational or analytical pipelines, alongside deep biological and clinical knowledge of olfactory tissues and disorders.
What is the estimated maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The estimated award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $500,000.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
NIH anticipates making about 3 awards under this funding opportunity.
What is the closing date listed for the opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2028-08-21.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities: state and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); and for-profit organizations (including small businesses).
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?
No. The NOFO states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are foreign components allowed in any form?
No. Foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.
Is the focus limited to one part of the olfactory system?
No. The NOFO highlights both peripheral targets (such as the olfactory epithelium) and central components (such as the olfactory bulb), and it encourages imaging approaches that can work across scales.
Does the opportunity prioritize non-invasive approaches?
Yes. The NOFO emphasizes non-invasive or minimally invasive imaging approaches suitable for in vivo use in living humans.
What is the overall intended impact of the program?
The program is designed to accelerate breakthroughs in human in vivo olfactory imaging by funding ambitious, technology-forward R01 projects that substantially improve resolution and specificity for key olfactory targets, enabling better mechanistic research and supporting improved clinical evaluation of smell disorders.
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