The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) is a UK-based charity that works in the area of hearing loss and tinnitus. It campaigns, funds research, provides support, advice and information, and supplies communication services and training. Three RNID funding initiatives are now open to application.

Discovery Research Grant (international scheme)

This grant supports research projects that will:

• Generate knowledge to underpin the discovery of treatments for hearing loss or tinnitus.
• Improve how new treatments are developed and tested.
• Improve current treatments for hearing loss, such as medical devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants.
• Provide a better understanding of the link between hearing loss and dementia to help find better ways to treat and prevent both conditions.

Applications are accepted from researchers located in any university or research institute worldwide. Awards of up to £75,000 per year are available for up to three years, subject to an overall maximum award limit of £225,000.

Applications follow a two-stage process consisting of an open preliminary application stage followed by an invitation-only full application stage. Preliminary applications must be submitted by the deadline of 7 April 2025 (17:00 BST).

Translational Research Grants (international scheme)

Grants are offered by the charity that aim to support and accelerate the translation of research discoveries that will advance the development of novel therapeutics (excluding medical devices) for the treatment of hearing disorders, including tinnitus. The 2025 call includes a co-funding opportunity with the Dunhill Medical Trust for research focused on advancing therapeutics for the treatment of age-related hearing disorders.

Applicants may be from any academic institution or small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in any country. Awards of up to £100,000 per year for up to three years are available (ie up to £300,000 in total).

There is a two-stage application process consisting of a mandatory Expression of Interest followed by an invited full application. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by the deadline of 7 April 2025 (17:00 BST).

Fellowship Scheme (UK scheme)

This RNID scheme aims to build research capacity in hearing research by supporting the career development of the UK’s most talented new investigators to enable them to become independent scientists. For the 2025 scheme, RNID is partnering with the Dunhill Medical Trust to fund the fellowships. The DMT remit includes research to understand the mechanisms of ageing and treating age-related diseases, including hearing loss.

The scheme is open to early career investigators who have the desire and potential to become independent scientists in the field of hearing research. Applicants must hold a PhD and be based at any UK university or research institute (but should not be a permanent employee). The award should support progression towards an independent research career. Up to £225,000 is available for a three-year period.