A task force of communications experts met in January to craft funding priorities for the new NIH arm, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. One goal for the institute, according to the task force, should be to increase the number of physicians doing research in this field. Noting that less than half of the nation's otolaryngologists are trained to do biomedical research, the task force called for substantially increased training opportunities for scientists and allied health specialists interested in investigating hearing disorders. The task force also asked the new institute to focus on little-publicized but common communications disorders such as tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears.
(NIDOCD, NIH 301-496-3152)
The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Mich., announced a plan last spring to upgrade and maintain scientific equipment at universities, hospitals, and research institutions, offering up to $20 million in grants over two years. Despite many inquiries, very...