HomeAbout UsReports to CongressFY 2011 Congressional Justification

FY 2011 Congressional Justification

FY 2011 Budget

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

On this page:

• Organization Chart
• Appropriation Language
• Amounts Available for Obligation
• Budget Mechanism—Total
• Budget Authority by Activity
• Major Changes in Budget Request
• Summary of Changes
• Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Graphs
• Director's Overview
• Justification of Budget Request
• Budget Authority by Object
• Salaries and Expenses
• Authorizing Legislation
• Appropriations History
• Details of Full-Time Equivalent Employment (FTE)
• Details of Positions

Organization Chart

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Appropriation Language

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health Services Act with respect to deafness and other communication disorders [$418,833,000] $429,007,000 (Public Law 111-117, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010)

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Amounts Available for Obligation 1/

Source of Funding	FY 2009 Actual	FY 2010 Estimate	FY 2011 PB
1/ Excludes the following amounts for reimbursable activities carried out by this account: FY 2009 -$1,235,000 FY 2010 -$2,000,000 FY 2011 -$2,000,000 Excludes $131,161 in FY 2009, and $184,973 in FY 2010 for royalties.
Appropriation	$407,259,000	$418,833,000	$429,007,000
Type 1 Diabetes	0	0	0
Rescission	0	0	0
Supplemental	0	0	0
Subtotal, adjusted appropriation	407,259,000	418,833,000	429,007,000
Real transfer under Director's one-percent transfer authority (GEI)	-676,000	0	0
Real transfer to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis	0	0	0
Comparative transfer to NLM for NCBI and Public Access	-134,000	-176,000	0
Comparative transfer under Director's one-percent transfer authority (GEI)	676,000	0	0
Comparative transfer to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis	0	0	0
Comparative transfer from HHS for Autism	0	0	0
Subtotal, adjusted budget authority	407,125,000	418,657,000	429,007,000
Unobligated balance, start of year	0	0	0
Unobligated balance, end of year	0	0	0
Subtotal, adjusted budget authority	407,125,000	418,657,000	429,007,000
Unobligated balance lapsing	-67,000	0	0
Total obligations	407,058,000	418,657,000	429,007,000

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Budget Mechanism—Total
(Dollars in Thousands)

MECHANISM	FY 2009 Actual		FY 2009 Recovery		FY 2010 Recovery Act Estimated		FY 2010 Estimate		FY 2011 PB		Change
	Number	Amount	Number	Amount	Number	Amount	Number	Amount	Number	Amount	Number	Amount
Research Grants:
Research Projects:
Noncompeting	606	$208,522	0	$0	52	$17,936	625	$220,063	620	$220,926	(5)	$863
Administrative supplements	(28)	1,496	(256)	43,648	(3)	194	(28)	1,500	(28)	1,530	0	30
Competing:
Renewal	70	26,372	8	3,850	09	0	66	25,140	68	26,260	2	1,120
New	136	42,331	46	15,121	11	4,039	126	40,350	129	42,152	3	1,802
Supplements	0	0	8	3,641	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Subtotal, competing	206	68,703	62	22,612	11	4,039	192	65,590	197	68,412	5	2,922
Subtotal, RPGs	812	278,721	62	66,260	63	22,169	817	287,053	817	290,868	0	3,815
SBIR/STTR	33	9,811	0	805	2	2,000	33	9,880	34	10,100	1	220
Subtotal, RPGs	853	278,185	840	286,289	825	290,658	(15)	4,369	851	300,968	1	4,035
Research Centers:
Specialized/comprehensive	22	18,059	7	6,110	6	3,587	22	18,100	22	18,460	0	360
Clinical research	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Biotechnology	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Comparative medicine	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Research Centers in Minority Institutions	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Subtotal, Centers	21	18,100	21	18,600	21	18,600	0	0	22	18,460		360
Other Research:
Research careers	32	4.581	0	107	0	0	33	4,900	38	5,900	5	1,000
Cancer education	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cooperative clinical research	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Biomedical research support	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Minority biomedical research support	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Other	21	2,990	0	571	0	0	21	3,000	21	3,060	0	60
Subtotal, Other Research	53	7,571	0	678	0	0	54	7,900	59	8,960	5	1,060
Total Research Grants	920	314,162	69	73,853	71	27,756	926	322,933	932	328,388	6	5,455
Research Training:
Individual awards	126 FTTPs	4,758	0 FTTPs	0	0 FTTPs	0	130 FTTPs	4,950	130 FTTPs	5.170	0	220
Institutional awards	207 FTTPs	9,081	0 FTTPs	0	0 FTTPs	0	206 FTTPs	9,100	206 FTTPs	9,460	0	360
Total, Training	333 FTTPs	13,839	0 FTTPs	0	0 FTTPs	0	336 FTTPs	14,050	336 FTTPs	14,630	0	580
Research & development contracts	42	22,373	0	0	0	0	47	23,522	49	25,622	2	2,100
(SBIR/STTR)	(0)	(16)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(106)	(0)	(109)	(0)	(-3)
Intramural research	69 FTEs	37,375	0 FTEs	311	0 FTEs	189	75 FTEs	38,437	80 FTEs	39,667	5	1,230
Research management and support	73 FTEs	19,376	0 FTEs	16	0 FTEs	859	75 FTEs	19,715	77 FTEs	20,700	2	985
Construction		0		0		0		0		0		0
Buildings and Facilities		0		0		0		0		0		0
Total, NIDCD	142 FTEs	407,125	0 FTEs	74,180	0 FTEs	28,804	150 FTEs	418,657	157 FTEs	429,007	7	10,350

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Budget Authority by Program
(Dollars in Thousands)

	FY 2007 Actual		FY 2008 Actual		FY 2009 Actual		FY 2009 Comparable		FY 2010 Estimate		FY 2011 PB		Change
	FTEs	Amount	FTEs	Amount	FTEs	Amount	FTEs	Amount	FTEs	Amount	FTEs	Amount	FTEs	Amount
Includes FTEs which are reimbursed from the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research
Extramural Research
Detail:
Hearing & Balance		$195,408		$197,035		$199,613		$199,924		$205,493		$210,493		$4,645
Smell & Taste		62,232		59,471		60,626		60,720		62,367		63,775		1,408
Voice, Speech, & Language		82,361		84,218		89,591		89,730		92,290		94,372		2,082
Subtotal, Extramural		340,001		340,724		349,830		350,374		360,505		368,640		8,135
Intramural research	66	34,653	69	36,165	69	37,332	69	37,375	75	38,437	80	39,667	5	1,230
Res. management & support	68	18,338	69	18,669	73	19,354	73	19,376	75	19,715	77	20,700	2	985
TOTAL	134	392,992	138	395,558	142	406,516	142	407,125	150	418,657	157	429,007	7	10,350

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Major Changes in the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request

Major changes by budget mechanism and/or budget activity detail are briefly described below. Note that there may be overlap between budget mechanism and activity detail and these highlights will not sum to the total change for the FY 2011 budget request for NIDCD, which is $10.350 million more than the FY 2010 Estimate, for a total of $429.007 million.

Research Project Grants (+$4.0 million; total $301.0 million). NIDCD will support a total of 851 Research Project Grant (RPG) awards in FY 2011. Noncompeting RPGs will decrease by 5 awards and increase by $0.9 million. Competing RPGs will increase by 5 awards and $2.9 million. SBIR/STTR will increase by 1 award and $0.2 million. The NIH policy for FY 2011 RPG's is a 2% inflationary increase for non-competing grants and a 2% average cost increase for competing grants.

Other Research (+$1.1 million). Research Careers increase by 5 awards and $1.0 million in response to the NIH Theme "Reinvigorating Biomedical Research." The Other grants program increases by $0.1 million and maintains the same number of awards.

Training (+$0.6 million). A six percent stipend increase for both Individual and Institutional awards is provided, and the number of full-time training positions (FTTP) is maintained at the same level as FY 2009.

Research & Development Contracts (+$2.1 million). This increase provides for incremental FY 2011 costs for trans-NIH initiatives such as: Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND); Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences Opportunity Network (OppNet); and a new Synchrotron at Brookhaven National Laboratory; plus ongoing NIDCD contracts and inter/intra-agency agreements; and Program Evaluation and other taps and assessments.

Intramural Research (+$1.3 million; total $39.7 million). Intramural Research will receive a 3.2% increase to cover the costs of pay and other increases, including five additional FTE's.

Research Management and Support (+$1.0 million; total $20.7 million). RMS will receive a 5.0% increase to cover the costs of pay and other increases, including two additional FTE's. NIDCD will be able to invest more heavily in its websites used by the public and NIDCD staff, and web-based IT systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program and financial management.

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Summary of Changes

FY 2010 estimate	$418,657,000
FY 2010 estimated budget authority	429,007,000
Net change	10,350,000

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Summary of Changes (continued)

CHANGES	2010 Current Estimate Base		Change from Base
	FTEs	Budget Authority	FTEs	Budget Authority
A. Built-in:
1. Intramural research:
a. Annualization of January 2009 pay increase		$13,450,000		$81,000
b. January FY 2010 pay increase		13,450,000		141,000
c. Zero less days of pay		13,450,000		0
d. Payment for centrally furnished services		5,851,000		117,000
e. Increased cost of laboratory supplies, materials, and other expenses		19,136,000		315,000
Subtotal				654,000
2. Research management and support:
a. Annualization of January 2009 pay increase		$10,955,000		$66,000
b. January FY 2010 pay increase		10,955,000		115,000
c. Zero less days of pay		10,955,000		0
d. Payment for centrally furnished services		3,217,000		64,000
e. Increased cost of laboratory supplies, materials, and other expenses		5,543,000		96,000
Subtotal				341,000
Subtotal, Built-in				995,000

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Summary of Changes (continued)

CHANGES	2010 Current Estimate Base		Change from Base
	Number	Amount	Number	Amount
B. Program:
1. Research project grants:
a. Noncompeting	625	$221,563,000	(5)	$893,000
b. Competing	192	65,490,000	5	2,922,000
c. SBIR/STTR	33	9,880,000	1	220,000
Total	850	296,933,000	1	4,035,000
2. Research centers	22	18,100,000	0	360,000
3. Other research	54	7,900,000	5	1,060,000
4. Research training	336	14,050,000	0	580,000
5. Research and development contracts	47	23,522,000	2	2,100,000
Subtotal, extramural				8,135,000
6. Intramural research	75 FTEs	38,437,000	5 FTEs	576,000
7. Research management and support	75 FTEs	19,715,000	2 FTEs	644,000
8. Construction		0		0
9. Buildings and Facilities		0		0
Subtotal, program		418,657,000		9,355,000
Total changes	150 FTEs		7 FTEs	10,350,000

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Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Graphs

History of Budget Authority and FTEs

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Funding Levels by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year	Dollars in Millions
2007	303.5
2008	394.1
2009	407.1
2010	418.7
2011	429.0

 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Full-Time Employees by Fiscal Year

FY	FTEs
2007	134
2008	138
2009	142
2010	150
2011	157

Distribution by Mechanism

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
FY 2011 Budget Mechanism

Mechanism	Budget	Percent of Budget
Research Project Grants	$300,968,000	70
Research Centers	$18,460,000	4
Other Research	$8,960,000	2
Research Training	$14,630,000	4
R&D Contracts	$25,622,000	6
Intramural Research	$39,667,000	9
RM&S	$20,700,000	5

Change by Selected Mechanism

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
FY 2011 Estimate
Percent Change from FY 2010 Mechanism

Mechanism	Percent Change
Research Project Grants	1.4
Research Centers	2.0
Other Research	13.4
Research Training	4.1
R&D Contracts	8.9
Intramural Research	3.2
Res. Mgmt. & Support	5.0
B&F	0.0

Justification of Budget Request

Authorizing Legislation: Section 301 and title IV of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Budget Authority:

FY 2009 Omnibus		FY 2010 Appropriation		FY 2011 President's Budget		FY 2011 +/- 2010 Appropriation
FTE	BA	FTE	BA	FTE	BA	FTE	BA
142	$407,125,000	150	$418,657,000	157	$429,007,000	+7	+$10,350,000

This document provides justification for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 activities of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), including HIV/AIDS activities. Details of the FY 2011 HIV/AIDS activities are in the "Office of AIDS Research (OAR)" Section of the Overview. Details on the Common Fund are located in the Overview, Volume One. Program funds are allocated as follows: Competitive Grants/Cooperative Agreements; Contracts; Direct Federal/Intramural and Other.

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Director's Overview

Approximately one in six Americans will experience some degree of communication disorder during their lifetime. For those individuals, the basic components of communication (sensing, interpreting, and responding to people and things in our environment) can be extremely challenging. Diseases and disorders of human communication are significant health problems for Americans of all ages, and cross all ethnic and socioeconomic lines. Not only do these disorders often compromise health, but they also affect the emotional, social, recreational, educational, and vocational aspects of a person's life. The economic and personal cost of these disorders in quality of life and unfulfilled potential is substantial. For example, hearing impairment is the number one disability reported for U.S. military personnel fighting the war on terror1. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) manages a broad portfolio of both basic and clinical research and research training committed to continuing its progress in the science of human communication, the prevention of communication disorders, and the improvement of clinical decision-making for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders. In this way, NIDCD strives to reduce the costs of communication disorders, both direct and indirect, on individuals, families, and society.

1 A 21st Century System for Evaluating Veterans for Disability Benefits, Committee on Medical Evaluation of Veterans for Disability Compensation, 2007.

NIDCD Accomplishments. In the past year, NIDCD has supported important activities in the following key areas of communication research:

Hereditary Hearing Loss: NIDCD-supported scientists are working to understand the genes responsible for hereditary hearing impairment. Approximately 50-60 percent of cases of severe to profound childhood hearing impairment are hereditary or genetic.2 Over 100 genetic regions associated with non-syndromic hereditary hearing impairment (NSHI) have been identified. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies are allowing researchers to narrow the location of these genetic regions and identify specific defects in genes that give rise to NSHI. For instance, NIDCD researchers and international collaborators recently sequenced all of the genes within one NSHI locus, DFNB39, from NSHI-affected and unaffected families. They discovered three novel single base pair mutations, all in a cancer gene, HGF, that were linked to NSHI. Interestingly, the mutations did not change the HGF protein itself, but instead altered regulatory or non-coding portions of the gene. This discovery has broad implications in our understanding of how small genetic changes give rise to various diseases. Through collaborative efforts with scientists around the world, NIH is accelerating this kind of gene discovery effort.

2 Morton CC and Nance WE. Newborn hearing screening--a silent revolution. N Engl J Med 354: 2151-2164, 2006.

Taste Sensitivity: A better understanding of inherited variations in taste sensitivity may help healthcare professionals develop population-specific eating plans that are healthy and palatable, so that they are more likely to be followed. NIDCD-supported research suggests that individuals whose early relatives lived in Europe are more sensitive to sweet tastes than those whose ancestors came from other parts of the world. The variation may be explained in part by adaptive evolution. Human ancestors who lived in Northern climates were less likely to encounter plants that contain a lot of sugar, such as sugarcane. Northern-dwelling ancestors had to be more sensitive to sugar to find calories. Sweetness sensitivity may have been less critical for ancestors from the south, where high-sugar plants (and thus calories) are more plentiful. Information on individual differences in sweetness sensitivity may help in the fight against obesity and its related health consequences.

NIDCD Plans and Priorities. NIDCD places a high emphasis on supporting new investigators and maintaining an adequate number of competing Research Project Grants. The NIDCD considers public health needs and scientific opportunity to prioritize its research investment. The goal is to identify the most promising opportunities for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, thereby improving the quality of life for people who face the challenge of living with a communication disorder.

Affordable Hearing Aids: According to Healthy People 2010, only 16 to 17 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 69 with hearing impairment have used hearing aids, and only 25 to 29 percent of adults ages 70 and over with hearing impairment have used them. Hearing health researchers cite multiple reasons for the gulf that exists between those who need and those who have hearing aids, with cost as an important factor. Since a hearing aid's lifespan is only 4-5 years, a hearing aid wearer could spend tens of thousands of dollars on aids over his or her lifetime. In August 2009, this issue was explored during a working group sponsored by the NIDCD. The goal of the meeting was to develop a research agenda that could help increase the accessibility and affordability of hearing health care for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. The NIDCD is currently reviewing the workshop participants' recommendations to develop a research agenda, which complements and supplements, rather than replacing, current hearing aid services. Potential research areas of focus for NIDCD include improving hearing aid technology, intervention services, and service delivery to increase options for accessible and affordable hearing health care.

Supporting New Investigators: In order to sustain the pipeline of new investigators, the NIH adopted a new policy, used by the NIDCD since FY 1999, involving the identification of early stage investigators (ESIs). ESIs are new investigators who are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree or their medical residency at the time they apply for R01 grants. Applications from ESIs are given special consideration during peer review and at the time of funding. The NIDCD continues to demonstrate its longstanding commitment to encourage the development of ESIs. For example, the NIDCD will support a research project with an ESI primary investigator to study hearing impairment in HIV-infected and HIV/tuberculosis-coinfected individuals in Tanzania.

Overall Budget Policy: The FY 2011 request for NIDCD is $429.007 million, an increase of $10.350 million or +2.5 percent above the FY 2010 enacted level. NIDCD will continue to support new and early stage investigators, and maintain an adequate number of competing Research Project Grants (RPG's), particularly R01's. In FY 2011, NIDCD will support new investigators on R01 equivalent awards at success rates equivalent to those of established investigators submitting new R01 equivalent applications. The budget provides a 2 percent inflationary increase for non-competing RPG's, and a 2 percent average cost increase for competing RPG's. The NIDCD allocates a portion of the funds available for competing RPG's to High Program Priority (HPP) projects outside of the automatic pay line. NIDCD will continue emphasizing faculty, postdoctoral and student training in our three program areas: hearing and balance; smell and taste; and voice, speech & language sciences. Trained investigators will be encouraged to choose a research career through the Pathways to Independence program, and the Research Career program will receive an increase of approximately 20% in support of NIH's "Reinvigorating Biomedical Research" theme. Funds are included in R&D Contracts to support several trans-NIH initiatives, such as the Therapies for Rare and Neglected Diseases program (TRND), the Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences Network (OppNet), and support for a new synchrotron at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, as well as increased support for Other HHS agencies through the program evaluation set-aside.

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FY 2011 Justification by Program

Program Descriptions and Accomplishments

Hearing and Balance Program

Hearing impairment, deafness, and balance disorders can impose a heavy social and economic burden on individuals, their families, and their communities. Approximately 36 million American adults report some degree of hearing loss3 and almost eight million adults report a chronic problem with balance4. In addition, approximately two to three out of 1,000 babies born in the United States (U.S.) each year have a detectable hearing loss5, which can affect their speech, language, social, and cognitive development. Accordingly, research projects within the NIDCD Hearing and Balance program encompass a significant portion of NIDCD's portfolio. Both hearing and balance disorders are prevalent, decrease quality of life, and cross all ethnic and socioeconomic lines. To study normal and disordered functions of the auditory and vestibular systems, NIDCD utilizes a wide range of research approaches, such as molecular genetics, cellular, systems, biomedical imaging, nanotechnology, psychoacoustics, and structural biology. The NIDCD has supported research that will help lead to the improvement or prevention of hearing and balance disorders. For example, because Native Americans are two to four times more likely to have hearing loss than the general U.S. population, the NIDCD will use ARRA funding to support a two year pilot study of hearing in newborn Native American infants. This pilot study will be conducted in collaboration with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) as part of Prenatal Alcohol and SIDS and Stillbirth (PASS) Network. The PASS Network has comprehensive clinical sites working with Northern Plains Indian communities to help decrease fetal and infant mortality and to improve child health in these communities.

3 Based on NCHS/NHIS data for 2007.

4 Based on prevalences from the 1994–95 Disability Supplement to the NHIS and current US population estimates.

5 White KR. The scientific basis for newborn hearing screening: Issues and evidence. Invited keynote address to the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Workshop sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, October 1997.

Budget Policy: The 2011 budget estimate for the Hearing and Balance program is $210.493 million, an increase of $4.645 million or +2.3 percent above the FY 2010 enacted level. In FY 2011, the program will continue emphasizing faculty, postdoctoral and student training on hearing and balance sciences. Trained investigators will be encouraged to choose a research career through the Pathways to Independence program. Making R01 awards to first-time investigators and early-stage investigators in the area of hearing and balance sciences will be given funding priority.

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Smell and Taste and Program

Each year, more than 200,000 people visit a physician for chemosensory problems such as smell or taste disorders6, however, many more smell or taste disorders go unreported. The NIDCD Smell and Taste program supports the study of the chemical senses (smell and taste) to enhance our understanding of how individuals communicate with their environment and how chemosensory disorders can be identified and treated. Smell and taste play important roles in preferences and aversions for aromas, specific foods, and flavors. By providing knowledge on food preferences, research on smell and taste may help increase our understanding of serious health problems. For example, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, malnutrition, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis are all accompanied or signaled by chemosensory problems. NIDCD-supported research on molecular and cellular biology, biophysics, and biochemistry of the olfactory and gustatory systems is paving the way for improved diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of chemosensory disorders. NIDCD will support incorporating standard measures of taste and smell into the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally-representative, population based survey. This project will help determine the prevalence of smell and/or taste impairment in the U.S., as well as to identify risk factors for smell or taste loss and possible associated conditions such as obesity, altered dietary intake, and chronic illnesses (such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, etc.).

6 /health/statistics/smelltaste/stquickstats.htm

Budget Policy: The 2011 budget estimate for the Smell and Taste program is $63.775 million, an increase of $1.408 million or +2.3 percent above the FY 2010 enacted level. In FY 2011, the program will continue emphasizing faculty, postdoctoral, and student training on smell and taste sciences. Trained investigators will be encouraged to choose a research career through the Pathways to Independence program. Making R01 awards to first-time investigators and early-stage investigators in the area of smell and taste sciences will be given funding priority.

Voice, Speech, and Language Program

Voice, speech, and language are tools that all individuals use to communicate or share thoughts, ideas, and emotions. However, approximately 7.5 million people in the U.S. have trouble using their voice7. By the first grade, roughly five percent of children have noticeable speech disorders8. Between six and eight million people in the U.S. have some form of language impairment9. The NIDCD Voice, Speech, and Language program continues to determine the nature, causes, and prevention of voice, speech, and language disorders. Disorders involving voice, speech, or language, as well as swallowing, can have an overwhelming effect on an individual's health and quality of life; they affect people of all ages with or without hearing impairment, including children with autism and adults with aphasia or dysarthria. Therefore, NIDCD continues its commitment to develop effective diagnostic and intervention strategies for individuals with voice, speech, or language impairments. Recently, NIDCD participated in a unique opportunity to expand our voice, speech, and language program though the ARRA request for applications, "Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders," which was the largest funding opportunity for research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). NIDCD is funding several research projects from this opportunity, including identification of speech patterns in children and infants who may develop ASD, and evaluation of the efficacy of certain communication interventions for ASD.

7 /health/statistics/pages/vsl.aspx

8 Shriberg LD, Tomblin JB, McSweeny JL. Prevalence of speech delay in 6-Year-old children and comorbidity with language impairment. J Speech Lang Hear Res 42: 1461-1481, 1999

9 /health/statistics/pages/vsl.aspx

Budget Policy: The 2011 budget estimate for the Voice, Speech, and Language program is $94.372 million, an increase of $2.082 million or +2.3 percent above the FY 2010 enacted level. In FY 2011, the program will continue emphasizing faculty, postdoctoral, and student training on voice, speech, and language sciences. Trained investigators will be encouraged to choose a research career through the Pathways to Independence program. Making R01 awards to first-time investigators and early-stage investigators in the area of voice, speech, and language sciences will be given funding priority.

Intramural Research Program

NIDCD's Division of Intramural Research (DIR) conducts basic and clinical research in the areas of human communication, with the dominant subject of interest being hearing. Research projects address the genetics of communication disorders in human and mouse models; the molecular mechanisms governing inner ear development, neuroimaging, and computer modeling of brain function; characterization of neurotransmission and signal transduction; and development of vaccines against otitis media. This intense concentration on hearing research and its genetic etiology has allowed NIDCD intramural scientists to make significant research progress on this priority for NIDCD. There are dozens of genes in which mutations can cause delayed-onset, progressive hearing loss or severe congenital deafness, and NIDCD intramural researchers continue to identify novel genes and mutations that underlie these hearing loss disorders. This knowledge provides a basis for more precise genetic diagnosis and highlights molecules within the inner ear that are essential for normal function. For example, intramural researchers studied mouse models for hereditary deafness in humans to elucidate how three different human deafness genes contribute to the development, structure, and function of the sensory cells of the inner ear. Another intramural research study identified genetic variation and the underlying mechanism that explains why different individuals perceive the taste of sweet substances differently. This discovery helps untangle the basis of sweet taste preferences and food choices in humans. In addition, Andrew Griffith, M.D., Ph.D., was recently named scientific director for the NIDCD intramural research program. Dr. Griffith is also Chief of the institute's Otolaryngology Branch, and chief of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Section. One of his goals is to recruit more researchers to enhance our translational and clinical research portfolios

Budget Policy: The 2011 budget estimate for the Intramural research program is $39.667 million, an increase of $1.230 million or +3.2 percent above the FY 2010 enacted level. The NIDCD intramural research program has been a leader in research on hereditary hearing impairment and has identified many genes whose mutation causes hearing loss. In FY 2011, NIDCD intramural scientist will continue their efforts in identifying mutation in genes which impacts hearing. This will contribute to NIDCD's Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goal on identifying or studying additional genes involved in communication disorders in humans and animal models. In accordance with our new Scientific Director's plan, the five additional FTE's in FY 2011 will be utilized to hire additional scientific staff to enhance NIDCD's translational and clinical research.

Research Management and Support (RMS) Program

NIDCD RMS activities provide administrative, budgetary, logistical, and scientific support for the review, award, and monitoring of research grants, training awards and research and development contracts. RMS functions also include strategic planning, coordination, evaluation of the Institute's programs, regulatory compliance, international coordination, and liaison with other Federal agencies, Congress, and the public. The Institute currently oversees over 1,100 research grants, training awards, and research and development contracts. A unique and notable aspect of NIDCD's RMS is the coordination of trans-NIH administrative activities for the NIH Stem Cell Task Force. The NIDCD Science Policy and Planning Branch manages and coordinates the activities and meetings of these trans-NIH stem cell committees and provides support to the directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and NIDCD, who serve as the chair and vice-chair of the NIH Stem Cell Task Force. Another area where NIDCD has taken the lead is preventing noise-induced hearing loss in youth. October 2009 marked the one year anniversary of NIDCD's health campaign, It's a Noisy Planet.Protect Their Hearing. This national public education campaign is designed to increase awareness among parents of tweens (8 to 12 year olds) about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noisy Planet education materials have been extremely popular since the program's launch. Visits to the Noisy Planet Web site also have grown from nearly 2000 user sessions in October 2008 to highs of nearly 11,000 user sessions each month.. An integral goal of the campaign is to identify, cultivate, and define strategic partnerships with other national organizations to help disseminate campaign messages and materials. Current partners include the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and its "Listen to Your Buds" campaign and the Deafness Research Foundation.

Budget Policy: The 2011 budget estimate for the RMS program is $20.700 million, an increase of $985 thousand or +5.0 percent above the FY 2010 enacted level. Consistent with President Obama's Executive Order to expand human stem cell research, NIDCD will continue to manage activities of the NIH Stem Cell Task Force. Additional funds will be utilized for scientific workshops, improved websites, enhanced web-based information systems to improve scientific and administrative management, and upgraded personal computers (on a regular three year cycle). The two additional FTE's will augment scientific management and IT.

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Budget Authority by Object

Total compensable workyears	FY 2010 Estimate	FY 2011 PB	Increase or Decrease	Percent Change
Includes FTEs which are reimbursed from the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research
Full-time employment	150	157	7	4.7
Full-time equivalent of overtime and holiday hours	0	0	0	0.0
Average ES salary	$179,700	$183,295	$3,595	2.0
Average GM/GS grade	12.2	12.2	0.0	0.0
Average GM/GS salary	$102,558	$139,007	$2,726	2.0
Average salary, grade established by act of July 1, 1944 (42 U.S.C. 207)	$0	$0	$0	0.0
Average salary of ungraded positions	$132,281	$139,007	$2,726	2.0

Budget Authority by Object
(continued)

OBJECT CLASSES	FY 2010 Estimate	FY 2011 Estimate	Increase or Decrease	Percent Change
Includes FTEs which are reimbursed from the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research
Personnel Compensation:
11.1 Full-time permanent	$10,966,000	$11,593,000	$627,000	5.7
11.3 Other than full-time permanent	5,467,000	5,888,000	421,000	7.7
11.5 Other personnel compensation	545,000	580,000	35,000	6.4
11.7 Military personnel	15,000	16,000	1,000	6.7
11.8 Special personnel services payments	2,735,000	2,970,000	235,000	8.6
Total, Personnel Compensation	19,728,000	21,047,000	1,319,000	6.7
12.0 Personnel benefits	4,669,000	4,978,000	309,000	6.6
12.2 Military personnel benefits	8,000	9,000	1.000	12.5
13.0 Benefits for former personnel	0	0	0	0.0
Subtotal, Pay Costs	24,405,000	26,034,000	1,629,000	6.7
21.0 Travel and transportation of persons	326,000	342,000	16,000	4.9
22.0 Transportation of things	50,000	51,000	1,000	2.0
23.1 Rental payments to GSA	0	0	0	0.0
23.2 Rental payments to others	11,000	11,000	0	0.0
23.3 Communications, utilities and miscellaneous charges	236,000	243,000	7,000	3.0
24.0 Printing and reproduction	32,000	36,000	4,000	12.5
25.1 Consulting services	220,000	234,000	14,000	6.4
25.2 Other services	2,544,000	2,642,000	98,000	3.9
25.3 Purchase of goods and services from government accounts	37,393,000	39,302,000	1,909,000	5.1
25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities	372,000	376,000	4,000	1.1
25.5 Research and development contracts	10,552,000	11,176,000	624,000	5.9
25.6 Medical care	100,000	100,000	0	0.0
25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment	737,000	738,000	1,000	0.1
25.8 Subsistence and support of persons	0	0	0	0.0
25.0 Subtotal, Other Contractual Services	51,918,000	54,568,000	2,650,000	5.1
26.0 Supplies and materials	2,861,000	2,855,000	(6,000)	-0.2
31.0 Equipment	1,835,000	1,849,000	14,000	0.8
32.0 Land and structures	0	0	0	0.0
33.0 Investments and loans	0	0	0	0.0
41.0 Grants, subsidies and contributions	336,983,000	343,018,000	6,035,000	1.8
42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities	0	0	0	0.0
43.0 Interest and dividends	0	0	0	0.0
44.0 Refunds	0	0	0	0.0
Subtotal, Non-Pay Costs	394,252,000	402,973,000	8,721,000	2.2
Total Budget Authority by Object	418,657,000	429,007,000	10,350,000	2.5

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Salaries and Expenses

OBJECT CLASSES	FY 2010 Estimate	FY 2011 PB	Increase or Decrease	Percent Change
Personnel Compensation:
Full-time permanent (11.1)	$10,966,000	$11,593,000	$627,000	5.7
Other than full-time permanent (11.3)	5,467,000	5,888,000	421,000	7.7
Other personnel compensation (11.5)	545,000	580,000	35,000	6.4
Military personnel (11.7)	15,000	16,000	1,000	6.7
Special personnel services payments (11.8)	2,735,000	2,970,000	235,000	8.6
Total Personnel Compensation (11.9)	19,728,000	26,034,000	1,629,000	6.7
Civilian personnel benefits (12.1)	4,669,000	4,978,000	309,000	6.6
Military personnel benefits (12.2)	8,000	9,000	1,000	12.5
Benefits to former personnel (13.0)	0	0	0	0.0
Subtotal, Pay Costs	24,405,000	26,034,000	1,629,000	6.7
Travel (21.0)	326,000	342,000	16,000	4.9
Transportation of things (22.0)	50,000	51,000	1,000	12.5
Rental payments to others (23.2)	11,000	11,000	0	0.0
Communications, utilities and miscellaneous charges (23.3)	236,000	243,000	7,000	3.0
Printing and reproduction (24.0)	32,000	36,000	4,000	12.5
Other Contractual Services:
Advisory and assistance services (25.1)	220,000	234,000	14,000	6.4
Other services (25.2)	2,544,000	2,642,000	98,000	3.9
Purchases from government accounts (25.3)	24,313,000	24,875,000	435,000	1.8
Operation and maintenance of facilities (25.4)	372,000	376,000	4,000	1.1
Operation and maintenance of equipment (25.7	737,000	738,000	1,000	0.1
Subsistence and support of persons (25.8)	0	0	0	0.0
Subtotal Other Contractual Services	28,313,000	28,865,000	552,000	1.9
Supplies and materials (26.0)	2,856,000	2,850,000	6,000	-0.2
Subtotal, Non-Pay Costs	31,824,000	32,398,000	574,000	1.8
Total, Administrative Costs	56,229,000	58,432,000	2,203,000	3.9

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Authorizing Legislation

	PHS Act/Other Citation	U.S. Code Citation	2010 Amount Authorized	FY 2010 Estimate	2011 Amount Authorized	FY 2011 PB
Research and Investigation	Section 301	42§241	Indefinite	$418,657,000	Indefinite	$429,007,000
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders	Section 402(a)	42§281	Indefinite		Indefinite
Total, Budget Authority				418,657,000		$429,007,000

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Appropriations History

Fiscal Year	Budget Estimate to Congress	House Allowance	Senate Allowance	Appropriation 1/
1/ Reflects enacted supplementals, rescissions, and reappropriations.
2/ Excludes funds for HIV/AIDS research activities consolidated in the NIH Office of AIDS Research.
2002	336,757,000	334,161,000	349,983,000	342,072,000
Rescission				(397,000)
2003	365,929,000	351,376,000	372,805,000	372,805,000
Rescission				(2,423,000)
2004	380,377,000	380,377,000	384,577,000	384,477,000
Rescission				(2,424,000)
2005	393,507,000	393,507,000	399,000,000	397,507,000
Rescission				(3,247,000)
2006	397,432,000	397,432,000	418,357,000	397,432,000
Rescission				(3,974,320)
2007	391,556,000	391,556,000	395,188,000	393,458,000
Rescission				0
2008	393,682,000	400,305,000	402,680,000	401,146,000
Rescission				(7,008,000)
Supplemental				2,096,000
2009	395,047,000	408,587,000	406,000,000	407,259,000
Rescission				0
2010	413,026,000	422,308,000	414,755,000	418,833,000
Rescission				0
2011	429,007,000

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Details of Full-Time Equivalent Employment (FTEs)

OFFICE/DIVISION	FY 2009 Actual	FY 2010 Estimate	FY 2011 PB
Includes FTEs that are reimbursed from the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research
Office of the Director	4	4	4
Office of Administration	40	41	42
Division of Extramural Activities	15	16	16
Division of Scientific Programs	14	14	15
Division of Intramural Research	69	75	80
Total	142	150	157
FTEs supported by funds from Cooperative Research and Development Agreements	(0)	(0)	(0)

Details of Full-Time Equivalent Employment (FTEs)
(continued)

FISCAL YEAR	Average GM/GS Grade
2007	12.3
2008	12.3
2009	12.2
2010	12.2
2011	12.2

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Details of Positions

GRADE	FY 2009 Actual	FY 2010 Estimate	FY 2011 PB
Includes FTEs which are reimbursed from the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.
Total, ES Positions	1	1	1
Total, ES Salary	$176,172	$179,700	$183,295
GM/GS-15	23	23	23
GM/GS-14	15	16	17
GM/GS-13	18	20	21
GS-12	21	22	23
GS-11	8	8	9
GS-10	0	0	0
GS-9	12	12	13
GS-8	1	1	1
GS-7	5	5	5
GS-6	1	1	1
GS-5	1	1	1
GS-4	1	1	1
GS-3	0	0	0
GS-2	0	0	0
GS-1	0	0	0
Subtotal	106	110	115
Grades established by Act of July 1, 1944 (42 U.S.C. 207):
Assistant Surgeon General	0	0	0
Director Grade	0	0	0
Senior Grade	1	1	1
Full Grade	0	0	0
Senior Assistant Grade	0	0	0
Assistant Grade	0	0	0
Subtotal	1	1	1
Ungraded	57	58	59
Total permanent positions	106	110	115
Total positions, end of year	165	170	176
Total full-time equivalent (FTE) employment, end of year	142	150	157
Average ES salary	$176,172	$179,700	$183,295
Average GM/GS grade	12.2	12.2	12.2
Average GM/GS salary	$100,057	$102,558	$104,609

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NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
New Positions Requested

		FY 2011
	Grade	Number	Annual Salary
Health Science Administrator	GS-15	1	$139,680
Database Systems Manager	GS-14	1	115,255
Staff Scientist	AD 601	2	260,663
Staff Clinician	AD 601	1	160,938
Biologist	GS-11	1	97,000
Research Fellow	AD 601	1	86,230
Total Requested

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