Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 23 003
Maintaining and Enriching Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts to Support Scientific and Workforce Diversity (RFA-ES-23-003) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) funding opportunity that uses the cooperative agreement mechanism (U24) and explicitly does not allow clinical trials. The program is designed to protect and extend the value of prior NIEHS investments in long-running environmental epidemiology cohorts by funding projects that keep these cohorts viable, improve their supporting infrastructure, and make their data more usable and shareable across the broader research community. In practical terms, it is aimed at sustaining existing Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts (EECs) rather than creating brand-new cohorts, while also modernizing the cohort resources so they can support more collaborative and inclusive science.
A central focus of the FOA is twofold. First, applicants are expected to propose plans that maintain and enrich the infrastructure of existing cohorts. This can include activities that keep cohort operations stable and scientifically productive, such as strengthening participant follow-up capacity, enhancing exposure and outcome data collection systems, updating biospecimen or metadata practices where relevant, and improving operational tools that help a cohort remain a dependable platform for environmental health research. Second, applicants must strengthen data management and data sharing in ways that expand access and usefulness. The intent is not just to store data, but to make it easier to find, understand, harmonize, and use responsibly, while supporting broad scientific collaborations.
Equity and inclusion are not side themes here; they are part of the main purpose. The FOA emphasizes improving data collection on under-represented populations in environmental health studies, which reflects a longstanding gap in who is represented in many epidemiologic datasets and who benefits from the insights they produce. In addition, NIEHS is explicitly trying to strengthen scientific workforce diversity by promoting collaborations that include under-resourced minority-serving institutions and under-represented minority researchers. The goal is to lower practical barriers to participation in large cohort science, such as limited access to curated datasets, harmonization tools, governance structures, analytic support, or partnership pathways that make it feasible for a wider range of investigators and institutions to contribute and lead.
Because the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect substantial NIH program involvement compared with a standard research grant. While the specific structure of that involvement is defined in the full FOA and award terms, the cooperative model generally means NIEHS will work closely with awardees on shared goals like data sharing practices, collaboration strategies, and cohort resource enhancements to ensure the funded activities align with the program’s overall objectives and deliverables.
Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types, reflecting the FOA’s interest in both scientific capacity and inclusive partnerships. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicants aligned with the diversity and inclusion goals, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, there are important limits related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the main applicant, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign elements in the project when justified and compliant with NIH policy.
Key administrative details from the source information include the funding instrument type (cooperative agreement), activity category (Environment, Health), and CFDA number 93.113. The opportunity was created on 2023-02-15, and the original application closing date listed is 2024-02-13. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget limits, anticipated award counts, and any required milestones or deliverables.
Overall, this opportunity is about keeping established environmental epidemiology cohorts healthy and scientifically competitive, while upgrading the data and collaboration ecosystem around them so that the resulting science is more open, more collaborative, and more representative. It is aimed at increasing the reach and impact of cohort resources by building stronger data sharing and management practices and by intentionally bringing more under-resourced institutions and under-represented researchers into meaningful scientific collaboration and leadership.Apply for RFA ES 23 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maintaining and Enriching Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts to Support Scientific and Workforce Diversity (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-02-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Maintaining and Enriching Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts to Support Scientific and Workforce Diversity and is identified as RFA-ES-23-003.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) opportunity administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
What type of funding mechanism is used?
The FOA uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, specifically U24.
Does this FOA allow clinical trials?
No. The FOA explicitly does not allow clinical trials.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is designed to protect and extend the value of prior NIEHS investments in long-running environmental epidemiology cohorts by supporting activities that keep cohorts viable, strengthen infrastructure, and make cohort data more usable and shareable for the broader research community.
Is this funding meant to create new cohorts?
No. The opportunity is aimed at sustaining existing Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts (EECs) rather than creating brand-new cohorts.
What kinds of cohort activities are supported under “maintain and enrich infrastructure”?
Supported activities can include efforts to keep cohort operations stable and scientifically productive, such as strengthening participant follow-up capacity, enhancing exposure and outcome data collection systems, updating biospecimen or metadata practices where relevant, and improving operational tools that help the cohort remain a dependable environmental health research platform.
What does the FOA emphasize regarding data management and data sharing?
The FOA emphasizes strengthening data management and data sharing so cohort data are not only stored, but also easier to find, understand, harmonize, and use responsibly, with the intent of supporting broader scientific collaborations.
Why does the FOA focus on data sharing beyond basic storage?
The stated intent is to expand access and usefulness of cohort data by improving how data can be discovered, interpreted, harmonized across studies, and shared responsibly to enable wider collaboration.
How are equity and inclusion addressed in this opportunity?
Equity and inclusion are described as central to the FOA. It emphasizes improving data collection on under-represented populations in environmental health studies and strengthening scientific workforce diversity through collaborations that include under-resourced minority-serving institutions and under-represented minority researchers.
What kinds of partnerships does NIEHS want to promote?
The FOA promotes collaborations that include under-resourced minority-serving institutions and under-represented minority researchers, with the goal of reducing barriers to participating in large cohort science.
What barriers is the FOA trying to reduce for under-resourced partners?
The FOA highlights barriers such as limited access to curated datasets, harmonization tools, governance structures, analytic support, and partnership pathways that enable a wider range of investigators and institutions to contribute and lead.
What does “cooperative agreement” mean for how NIH interacts with recipients?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect substantial NIH program involvement compared with a standard research grant. The description indicates NIEHS will work closely with awardees on shared goals such as data sharing practices, collaboration strategies, and cohort resource enhancements to ensure alignment with program objectives and deliverables.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category listed is Environment, Health.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 93.113.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, including: state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities.
Which minority-serving institutions are explicitly called out as eligible?
The FOA specifically calls out eligibility for institutions aligned with diversity and inclusion goals, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA notes eligibility includes faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicants.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the main applicant.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as described in the provided information.
Are foreign components allowed in a project led by a U.S. applicant?
Yes. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign elements when justified and compliant with NIH policy.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2023-02-15.
What is the application closing date listed in the provided information?
The original application closing date listed is 2024-02-13.
Is the award ceiling provided in the information above?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget limits.
Is the expected number of awards provided in the information above?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA for anticipated award counts and related details.
What is the central “two-part” focus of the FOA?
The FOA focuses on: (1) maintaining and enriching the infrastructure of existing cohorts to keep them viable and productive, and (2) strengthening data management and sharing to expand access, usefulness, harmonization potential, and responsible reuse across the research community.
What kinds of outcomes is NIEHS trying to achieve through this program?
Based on the provided description, NIEHS aims to keep established cohorts scientifically competitive, modernize data and collaboration ecosystems, improve representation of under-represented populations in data collection, and increase participation and leadership by under-resourced institutions and under-represented researchers.
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| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Strategies for Responsibly Reporting Back Environmental Health and Non-Genomic Research Results (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 23 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CCRP Initiative: Chemical Threat Agent Exposure Resource and Coordination Core (ExRC) (U2C Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HAZMAT Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CCRP Initiative: Chemical Threat Agent-induced Pulmonary and Ocular Pathophysiological Mechanisms (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 24 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Epitranscriptomics Crosstalks and Toxicants (EPCOT) (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 25 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 25 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers Program (P30 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA ES 25 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 25 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience: Coordination Center for Interoception Research (BPCCIR) (U24, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AT 25 004 Funding Number: RFA AT 25 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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