Advancing Screening, Diagnosis, and Referral for Late Talking Children

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking research grant applications to improve the earliest steps in clinical practice for late talking children. The goal is to inform, develop, and evaluate evidence-based practices and implementation strategies to effectively identify early signs of late talking and support the needs of late talking children. Populations of interest include children at higher risk for late talking due to premature birth, exposure to maltreatment or trauma, neurological conditions, motor and sensory disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, and intellectual and developmental disorders. The research will focus on screening, referral, and in-depth evaluation and diagnosis of language and other contributing delays/disorders in primary care, specialty care, educational settings, and early childhood community settings. Key aspects of this opportunity include: • Community partnerships and community engaged research approaches will be a key requirement • Research focusing on children as well as their parents, caregivers, and supporting community professionals • Collaborative investigations combining expertise in clinical practice research, dissemination and implementation science, or community engaged research are encouraged • The award ceiling for this grant is $500,000, and the estimated award date is June 30, 2028.