NIH Funding for Research on Music and Health

NIH Funding for Research on Music and Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published a set of funding announcements aimed at supporting scientists studying the link between music and health.

In introducing the announcements, NIH writes:

Music has the remarkable ability to enhance child development, improve adult function and well-being, and optimize the quality of life during aging. Many studies have shown that music can also ameliorate the symptoms of a broad range of diseases and disorders that occur throughout the lifespan and be utilized effectively in delivering palliative care during serious advanced illness and at the end of life…  To capitalize on these opportunities, the NIH is issuing three related funding initiatives intended to: i) promote our understanding of the basic mechanisms through which music is processed by the brain and body; ii) explore how music can impact health and disease, and iii) facilitate rigorous music intervention studies to help treat disease.

These new funding opportunities come via three different mechanisms: R01 grants (RFA-NS-19-008), R21 grants (RFA-NS-19-009), and R61/R33 exploratory/developmental grants (RFA-AT-19-001). According to NIH, the R01 grant will support studies with a strong potential impact on the science of music and health, and the R21 will support exploratory projects with a unique potential for moving an important aspect of the science of music and health. These grants fund up to $250,000 per year for up to 5 years and up to $150,000 per year for up to 2 years, respectively.

The R61/R33 grant, on the other hand, aims to support study of the behavioral processes underlying music interventions through an initial R61 phase, which transitions into an R33 phase, supporting further mechanistic investigations, intervention development, or pilot clinical studies. This mechanism supports up to $350,000 for up to 5 years, across both phases.

Altogether, NIH has committed 5 million dollars annually, across all three grant opportunities, in support of these projects, and intends to make 9-12 awards.

Psychological scientists interested in applying for funding should submit an optional letter of intent to NIH by January 15, 2019, and should submit their applications by February 28, 2019. The deadlines are the same for all three funding opportunities.

To learn more about these opportunities, click one of the following links:


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