Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA ES 20 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 20 002

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-20-002; CFDA 93.113) supports projects that start with a real, community-identified environmental health concern and move beyond study alone to produce practical, on-the-ground public health action. The core idea is community-engaged research: applicants are expected to work in meaningful partnership with the affected community to investigate potential health risks tied to environmental contaminants that residents consider important, then use what is learned to design and carry out an environmental public health action plan. The overall goal is to generate evidence that can directly inform changes in practices, policies, and interventions that prevent or reduce harmful exposures and ultimately improve community health.

This program uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism (with clinical trials allowed but not required, as indicated by "Clinical Trial Optional"). In practical terms, that means proposals can focus on observational, exposure assessment, or intervention-oriented work, and they can incorporate clinical trial elements if the research questions and methods warrant it. What distinguishes this opportunity is its "research-to-action" orientation: the research component is intended to lead to a concrete action plan grounded in findings, rather than ending at publication. Projects typically would include identifying and characterizing exposures of concern (for example, contaminants in air, water, soil, food, consumer products, or occupational/community settings), evaluating possible health implications, communicating results in an accessible way to community partners, and implementing steps to reduce exposures or mitigate risk.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The announcement also allows nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. In addition, the opportunity explicitly highlights other eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; eligible federal agencies; Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized); and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it places clear limits on foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the environment and health area. The posted award ceiling is $400,000 (as listed in the source data). The original closing date shown is December 4, 2020, and the opportunity record was created on November 7, 2019. Even though those dates are historical in the provided listing, they help clarify the specific FOA being summarized and the scale of support that was anticipated.

In summary, this NIH FOA funds collaborative, community-driven environmental health projects designed to answer urgent local questions about contaminants and health, while also delivering a practical action plan that communities can use to reduce exposures. Competitive applications under this model generally center community priorities, share decision-making with local partners, translate findings into accessible guidance, and demonstrate a credible pathway from data to real-world prevention or exposure reduction.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 2019-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-12-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for RFA ES 20 002

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