Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R21)

archived

Purpose. This FOA solicits applications designed to collect information on community exposures to environmental or occupational agents or exposure-related diseases and use this new information to support environmental public health action.Research will focus on environmental or occupational agents known or strongly suspected to be a significant environmental public health issue by community members but lacking basic information on exposure levels, sources of exposure, or potential health effects.An education, outreach, prevention or intervention program(s) also must be developed to translate and disseminate research findings to relevant audiences (e.g., scientists, community members, healthcare professionals, and policymakers) to inform them about the potential health burden(s) associated with environmental or occupational agents in their community, with the ultimate goal of supporting actions that will lead to the prevention or reduction of harmful environmental/occupational exposures and improve human health. Evaluation will be a central component of all projects. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIEHS intends to commit $2 million in FY2009 to fund five to seven new grants in response to this FOA. The NIOSH intends to commit $500,000 in FY2009 to fund one to two new grants in response to this FOA. Although the financial plans of the NIEHS and NIOSH provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Budget and Project Period. An applicant may request a project period of up to four years and a budget for direct costs of up to $225,000 per year.This is a modular grant program. Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Institutions/organizations listed in Section III, 1.A. are eligible to apply. Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs). Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/ organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. Number of PDs/PIs. More than one PD/PI (i.e., multiple PDs/PIs) may be designated on the application. Number of Applications. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct. Resubmissions. Resubmission applications are not permitted in response to this FOA. Renewals. Exploratory/developmental grant support is for new projects only; competing renewal (formerly competing continuation) applications will not be accepted.

High