NOT-DC-25-035
Transformative Non-Invasive/Minimally Invasive Technologies for Imaging the Olfactory System Across Scales (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Summary
High-Resolution In Vivo Imaging of the Human Olfactory System
This R01 funding opportunity from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) targets a critical gap: the lack of non-invasive, high-resolution imaging technologies for studying the living human olfactory system. Current methods cannot adequately visualize the olfactory epithelium, olfactory bulb, and related structures with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to understand disease mechanisms or improve clinical diagnosis of olfactory disorders.
The program seeks research that applies advanced imaging modalities—including fluorescence imaging, optical and acoustic imaging, molecular imaging, and hemodynamic or diffusion imaging approaches—to overcome the olfactory system's anatomical challenges (restricted accessibility, multiple cell types, low signal). Successful applications will combine expertise across olfaction, biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, and biophysics to develop or adapt imaging tools that achieve previously unattainable resolution for peripheral and central olfactory structures in living humans. The intended outcome is transformative diagnostic capability and mechanistic insight into olfactory dysfunction.
- Who can apply: Researchers with expertise in olfaction, biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, or biophysics; must leverage advanced non-invasive/minimally invasive imaging technologies achieving resolution previously unattainable for olfactory system imaging
- Funding & project length: Not stated
- Award / mechanism: R01 (research project grant)
- Key dates: NOFO not yet published; notice provided for collaboration planning
- Best fit for: Biomedical imaging, neuroscience, otolaryngology, and sensory biology researchers using optical, acoustic, fluorescence, or molecular imaging in human olfactory tissue
Insights (5)
Imaging technology innovation is the gating requirement, not olfactory biology alone
This opportunity explicitly requires applications to achieve resolution "previously unattainable" using advanced non-invasive/minimally invasive imaging. Success depends on demonstrating novel imaging capability or adaptation—not simply applying existing methods to olfactory questions. Applicants with strong preliminary imaging data showing technical breakthrough in the olfactory context will be significantly more competitive than those with strong olfactory biology but conventional imaging approaches.
Multimodal and cross-disciplinary teams are strongly encouraged, not optional
The NOFO explicitly states that "collaborative investigations combining expertise in olfaction, biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, biophysics, etc. will be encouraged." This signals that single-PI applications focused narrowly on olfactory biology or imaging alone are at a disadvantage. Assembling a team that bridges imaging innovation and olfactory science from the outset will strengthen competitiveness and align with funder intent.
Peripheral and central olfactory targets both required; scope is anatomically broad
Applications must address both peripheral targets (olfactory and non-olfactory epithelium) and central targets (olfactory bulb). This dual anatomical requirement rules out narrowly focused studies of epithelium alone or bulb alone, and demands imaging solutions that work across different tissue types and accessibility constraints. Applicants should verify their imaging approach can meet both requirements before investing in development.
R01 mechanism with dual-institute support suggests moderate award rate and high specificity
The R01 mechanism combined with co-sponsorship by NIDCD and NIBIB indicates this is a focused, competitive program likely to fund 5–15 awards. The specificity of the imaging resolution requirement and the emphasis on novel technology will concentrate competition among imaging-forward research groups. Applicants without preliminary imaging data or clear technical differentiation should expect strong headwinds.
Olfactory disorder diagnosis and mechanism are the clinical/translational anchors
The NOFO frames imaging capability as essential to "understanding underlying biological mechanisms as well as the etiology of an olfactory disorder" and notes that improved imaging will "eventually improve diagnostic accuracy." Applications that connect imaging innovation to a specific olfactory disorder (e.g., post-viral anosmia, age-related decline) or diagnostic gap will be more compelling than purely mechanistic studies. Consider grounding your imaging work in a clinically relevant question.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Thu, July 17, 2025
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (2)
Applications must leverage advanced non-invasive/minimally invasive imaging technologies and achieve resolution previously unattainable for olfactory system imaging
85%
Source Text
“Applications must leverage advanced non-invasive/minimally invasive imaging technologies to visualize peripheral (e.g., olfactory- and non-olfactory epithelium) and central olfactory (e.g., olfactory bulb) targets at a resolution previously unattainable.”
Collaborative investigations combining multiple expertise areas are encouraged but the degree of collaboration required is unclear
80%
Source Text
“collaborative investigations combining expertise in olfaction, biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, biophysics, etc. will be encouraged and investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.”