Extramural Research and Training Programs
The NIOSH extramural research and training programs include diverse portfolios of investigator initiated research, mentored research scientist career development awards, training programs, and small business innovation research projects. Multidisciplinary education and research centers and state surveillance programs complement the breadth and depth of extramural research and training at NIOSH.
A description of these portfolios is available along with links to current performance data. Extramural performance data includes a listing of all active awards, extramural funding summary by activity and year, extramural research impact examples, and research funding success rates. A link to the NIH Research Reporting Online Reporting Tools (RePORT) provides access to reports, data and analysis of all NIH research. NIOSH participates in this program and you can search NIOSH funded reports by selecting CDC-NIOSH in the Agency /Institute/Center field on the query page.
The peer review and program management of the NIOSH extramural research and training program portfolios is managed by the scientific program officials in the Office of Extramural Programs (OEP). The OEP also manages the extramural portfolio of cooperative agreements for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). This portfolio includes the WTCHP Registryexternal icon, research projects, and outreach activities.
Please see a list of all currently funded grant awards and funding opportunities for current grant opportunities at NIOSH. Additionally, check out the priority goals for extramural research, which individuals are encouraged to consider when applying for grants.
Research Impact Stories
A computer model helped predict the impact of shoe tread on friction.
A rating system helped predict which solutions construction workers would use to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
NIOSH-funded study finds need for mental health support among airline pilots.
Research shows it is critical to routinely inspect and test low-cost gas monitors, like the one above, before using them during high-risk farm tasks.
A NIOSH-funded study is working to improve sleep quality for long-haul truck drivers.
Click here to view all extramural research impact stories
NIOSH Disaster Science Responder Research Program COVID-19 Research Agenda (2021-113) Published
NIOSH recently developed a COVID-19 research agenda to address occupational health research gaps in the context of the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and response. This research agenda provides a high-level framework for planning and prioritizing COVID-19 research recommended, conducted, or supported by NIOSH. You can find this document posted on the Disaster Science Responder Research (DSRR) website. There you will also see NIOSH DSRR strategic goals, critical topic areas, and links to other resources.
We hope that researchers find this information helpful as they develop NIOSH research applications. Please direct any questions about the research agenda to the contacts listed on the DSRR website or to Dr. Elizabeth Maples in the Office of Extramural Programs.
New Webpage for Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program
Check out our new webpage where you can learn more about commercial fishing research cooperative agreements and training project grants, supported by NIOSH and the U.S. Coast Guard. This funding is awarded to qualified individuals in academia, members of non-profit organizations, municipalities, and businesses involved in the U.S. commercial fishing industry. The Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program supports fishing safety research and targeted, regionally appropriate training for U.S. commercial fishermen.
Extramural Grantee Spotlight (March 2021)
In 1988, NIOSH began funding what would be the longest-running and largest study of lung disease in textile workers. This study at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will end in 2022 but has furthered our understanding of lung disease in textile workers. Read more about this one-of-a-kind project in NIOSH Research Rounds and the NIOSH Science Blog, where it was featured in recognition of the NIOSH 50th anniversary.
Second Year Funding Available for Workplace Robotics Research
NIOSH, in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and others, has announced available funding to study the integration of robotics technologies in the workplace. The funding announcement calls for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 3.0 (NRI 3.0). NIOSH is seeking fundamental research on integration of robotics technologies for reducing workplace risk exposures, research to identify potential physical risks and sociotechnical challenges of robotics technologies to workers, and research to evaluate different risk control strategies.
The proposal submission window is April 19, 2021 – May 3, 2021. You must submit your application by May 3, at 5:00 p.m. in your local time. Applicants may submit their proposals via the FastLaneexternal icon, Research.govexternal icon, or Grants.govexternal icon websites, as stated in the funding announcement. More information is available on the NSF websiteexternal icon.
Selecting Priority Goals for NIOSH-Funded Research
Guidance is now available on how to select NIOSH priority goals for research. This new tool is intended for NIOSH intramural (internal) researchers, as well as extramural (grant-funded) researchers who are encouraged to select priority goals for extramural research when applying for grants. For more information, see Select Goals.
| Grant Type | Total Awarded | n | Percent of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Career Development Grants | $17,185,978 | 57 | 18.1% |
| Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) | $1,852,965 | 7 | 2.0% |
| Specialty Training Programs | $7,154,573 | 35 | 7.5% |
| Multidisciplinary Centers | $59,354,207 | 36 | 62.5% |
| Cooperative Research Agreements | $9,348,320 | 32 | 9.9% |
| Total FY19 | $94,896,043 | 167 | 100% |
| Total from “FY19 Summary Table” | $94,896,043 | 167 | |
| Delta | $0 | 0 |
| Award Category | Award Mechanism | Number of Awards | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multidisciplinary Centers | 36 | $59,354,207 | |
| Education and Research Centers | Training Grant (T42) | 18 | $28,380,942 |
| Agriculture Safety and Health Centers | Cooperative Research Agreement (U54) | 11 | $18,739,554 |
| National Center for Construction Research & Training | Cooperative Research Agreement (U60) | 1 | $5,750,000 |
| Centers of Excellence to Promote a Healthier Workforce | Cooperative Research Agreement (U19) | 6 | $6,483,711 |
| Investigator-initiated Research Grants | 57 | $17,185,978 | |
| Research Grants | Investigator-initiated (R01, R03, R21,R13, U13) | 47 | $16,114,847 |
| Career Developmental Research | Mentored Career Scientist (K01) | 10 | $1,071,131 |
| Other Research (Cooperative Agreements) | 32 | $9,348,320 | |
| Surveillance | Cooperative Research Agreement (U60) | 26 | $6,816,681 |
| Mesothelioma Tissue Bank | Cooperative Research Agreement (U24) | 1 | $1,081,283 |
| Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research | Cooperative Research Agreement (U01) | 4 | $1,225,356 |
| Occupational Safety & Health Surveillance Collaboration, Education & Translation | Cooperative Research Agreement (U24) | 1 | $225,000 |
| Specialty Training Programs | 35 | $7,154,573 | |
| Training Project Grants | T01 and T03 | 28 | $4,786,981 |
| Miner Safety and Health Training Program | Cooperative Research Agreement (U60) | 2 | $968,000 |
| Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Training | T03 | 5 | $1,399,592 |
| Small Business Innovation Research | 7 | $1,852,965 | |
| Small Business Innovation Research | Phase I (R43) & Phase II (R44) | 7 | $1,852,965 |
| Total Extramural Funding | 167 | $94,896,043 |