Apply for an ATA Grant

The American Tinnitus Association Invites Global Researchers to Apply for Grants

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA), the nation’s only non-profit dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of the tinnitus community, is accepting applications for its Innovative Tinnitus Research Grants Program. The ATA Grants Program operates on a rolling cycle, allowing researchers to submit applications year-round without adhering to a hard deadline. Dedicated to finding cures and better treatments for tinnitus, which is experienced by 10–15% of the population, the ATA moved to rolling grants to allow for greater flexibility and speed in advancing scientific progress. Researchers, here and abroad, who are working on novel approaches that may contribute substantively to scientific understanding of tinnitus, breakthroughs in treatments, and possible cures are encouraged to apply for an ATA grant award.

Scientists, academics, and healthcare professionals affiliated with non-profit medical and research institutions are encouraged to apply for ATA grants and awards, which include:

  • $60,000 Innovative Tinnitus Research Grant for Established Investigators
  • $25,000 Innovative Tinnitus Research Grant for Early Investigators
  • $2,000 travel awards for students and postdoctoral fellow investigators
  • $2,000 conference awards to host a virtual or in-person conference

ATA grants are for one- or two-year investigations. All tinnitus-related proposals will be reviewed in a highly competitive process by the ATA's Scientific Advisory Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors, following a peer-reviewed process modeled after the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
By funding original scientific research, the ATA brings researchers’ ideas to life and ensures that promising tinnitus advances are uncovered. The ATA's research grants program was launched in 1981, when virtually no research was being conducted on tinnitus in the United States. The program was pivotal in fostering interest in the field of tinnitus research and building awareness that tinnitus negatively impacts quality of life. The program, which is funded through donations, is grounded in seed grants that enable researchers to obtain significant data for innovative pilot studies, which is a prerequisite for applying for more substantial funding from bigger institutions, such as the U.S. Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health.
“For nearly 40 years, the ATA has fostered groundbreaking research in tinnitus and its management. We know that everyone with tinnitus, bothered by it or not, wants a cure. Our expectation is there’s a researcher out there who has an idea that’s going to get us to the next step,” said Torryn P. Brazell, CAE, chief executive officer of the ATA. “We hope to receive strong applications, and forge new relationships with researchers who hold the key to either easing the burden of tinnitus or eliminating it.”

Eligibility and Application Information

Application Deadline

ATA Grants operate on a rolling basis, which means that applications may be submitted at the convenience of researchers, at any time year-round. You can get your application started today by submitting a letter of interest describing your proposal. (See the application instructions for more details.)

All questions regarding the grants application should be directed to Rebecca Lewis, AuD, PhD, ATA's Scientific Grants Project Officer at grants@ATA.org. Difficulties navigating the application website can be addressed by ProposalCentral Customer Support at pcsupport@altum.com or by phone: 800-875-2562 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada), or (703)964-5840 (Direct Dial International).

About the ATA

The core purpose of the American Tinnitus Association is to promote relief, prevent, and find cures for tinnitus, evidenced by its core values of compassion, credibility, and responsibility.
The leading cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud sound that damages an individual's auditory system; the second leading cause is head or neck trauma. Tinnitus also is the leading service-connected disability for U.S. veterans. The ATA is almost exclusively funded by individual donors to fulfill its critical mission. Please donate and/or consider becoming a member so the ATA can continue to improve the quality of life for those living with tinnitus and to educate the public on its prevention.

As the only non-profit patient advocacy organization committed exclusively to advancing the tinnitus research field nationally as well as internationally, the ATA supports the following program goals:

  1. Attract more researchers to the field of tinnitus.
  2. Encourage innovative research to advance possible cures and new treatments.
  3. Advance the careers of early investigators in the field of tinnitus.

See http://www.ATA.org for more information.
If your tinnitus is causing you distress, getting help is crucial. Call the ATA at 1-800-634-8978, if you need general guidance on tinnitus management and seeking care.