TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT)

Background

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a set of more than 30 conditions that can cause debilitating pain and dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint, chewing muscles, and surrounding tissues. They affect 5%–10% of the U.S. population and are twice as common in women than in men. TMDs are driven by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, but significant gaps remain in scientists’ understanding of the underlying mechanisms. TMDs have long confounded medical and dental professionals, often resulting in delayed or ineffective treatment. The complexity of this set of conditions calls for a coordinated and multilevel approach to address them.

NIDCR’s Response

In partnership with multiple NIH institutes, centers, and offices, as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NIDCR developed the TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT) Initiative, with the goal of advancing basic and clinical TMD research, research training, and translation to evidence-based treatments and improved clinical care.

The Initiative was launched as two sequential notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs) to plan for and then establish a TMD IMPACT Collaborative. The first NOFO, published in February 2023, invited planning grant applications to conceptualize the design and implementation of a future national, interdisciplinary, patient-centered research consortium, or Collaborative. The planning grants were intended to enable institutions to develop partnerships, infrastructure, and capabilities to prepare for participation in the Collaborative. Nine planning grants were awarded by NIDCR in 2023, totaling $2.8 million for one year of support.

The second NOFO, titled the TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT), was published in October 2024, resulting in two cooperative agreement center awards and a cooperative agreement project award in September 2025 to establish the TMD IMPACT Collaborative. The key objectives are to: 1) support robust and rigorous TMD basic research that leads to clinically relevant insights and mechanistic understanding; 2) develop translational programs and support clinical research to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the various TMDs and ultimately improve the standard of care; 3) strengthen population-based research on the public health burden and costs of TMDs to improve prevention and management of TMDs, and health services and implementation research to improve quality and access to care; and 4) train the future TMD biomedical workforce that represent a wide range of individuals from all backgrounds, career stages, and appropriate scientific disciplines consistent with applicable law. 

Funded Research

TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT) (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-DE-25-003