Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 12 134
Apply for PA 12 134
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Environmental Exposures and Health Exploration of Non Traditional Settings, (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113 Environmental Health 93.361 Nursing Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 23, 2012 and posted on Mar 23, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2016. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses City or township governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) State governments Independent school districts Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Small businesses Special district governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Environmental Exposures and Health Exploration of Non Traditional Settings (R21) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA-12-134) was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program co-sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Its central aim was to stimulate interdisciplinary, early-stage research that looks closely at how environmental pollutants and toxins affect health in two especially vulnerable groups, children and older adults, when they live in, receive services in, or spend substantial time in settings that fall outside the usual categories of home, workplace, or traditional schools and clinics. The program emphasized the idea that everyday environments where people learn, socialize, receive care, or live temporarily can create real exposure pathways and health risks that are often understudied compared with exposures in more conventional settings.
A key focus of the FOA was linking exposure to measurable health impacts and practical strategies to reduce harm. The announcement highlighted that these non traditional settings can be sources of pollutants and toxicants that contribute to symptoms and disease outcomes, including lower respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease. In plain terms, the FOA was looking for research that could identify environmental risks in these environments, clarify how those risks translate into symptoms or longer-term conditions, and test or inform prevention approaches that people and communities can actually use. It also explicitly framed this work as part of reducing health disparities, recognizing that children and older adults in certain communities may be more likely to spend time in under-resourced facilities or settings with higher environmental burdens.
The types of environments considered "non traditional" were broad and intentionally inclusive. Examples listed in the FOA included community centers; preschool and other non traditional school environments such as churches, daycare facilities, home-based schools, dormitories, and alternative schools; child and older adult foster care facilities; older adult day care facilities; half way homes; and residential care environments like assisted living and long-term care facilities. The through-line across these locations is that they can involve unique building characteristics, maintenance practices, crowding patterns, ventilation differences, or nearby environmental sources that change what people are exposed to and how exposures accumulate over time.
From a nursing science perspective, the FOA placed special weight on research that connects exposure science to symptom management and prevention in real-world contexts. It emphasized risk identification and symptom management through prevention and behavior change, with an orientation toward actions at the level of the individual, the family, and the community. That emphasis signals interest in practical, implementable strategies such as reducing exposure opportunities, improving environmental conditions, supporting self-management or caregiver practices, and developing community-informed interventions that help maintain health and prevent disease, rather than studies that only describe hazards without moving toward feasible solutions.
Mechanistically, this opportunity used the NIH R21 funding mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory or developmental work that can generate preliminary data, test new concepts, or establish proof-of-principle. The listed award ceiling was $200,000, and the FOA indicated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement. The program was posted on March 23, 2012, with an original and final closing date of January 7, 2016, and it was archived on February 7, 2016, meaning it is no longer an active competition but remains an important reference for the kind of research priorities NINR and NIEHS were encouraging in this area.
Eligibility was broad and designed to support cross-sector participation. Eligible applicants included public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses, with small businesses also listed as eligible), and multiple levels of government such as city/township, county, state, special district governments, and independent school districts. The FOA also noted eligibility for public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, tribal governments and tribal organizations, and a variety of mission-focused institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and faith-based or community-based organizations. Importantly, it allowed non-U.S. (foreign) institutions to apply, permitted non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations, and allowed foreign components as defined by NIH policy, reflecting an openness to internationally relevant exposure questions and collaborations when appropriate.
In terms of topic alignment, the FOA sat at the intersection of environmental health (CFDA 93.113) and nursing research (CFDA 93.361). The overall picture is a grant program that encouraged teams to blend environmental exposure measurement and characterization with clinically meaningful outcomes and community-centered prevention approaches, especially in underexamined settings where children and older adults may face avoidable environmental risks. For full details, NIH maintained the official announcement at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-134.html (archived), and technical access issues were directed to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact listed in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Environmental Exposures and Health Exploration of Non Traditional Settings (R21) opportunity?
It was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity titled "Environmental Exposures and Health Exploration of Non Traditional Settings (R21)" under Funding Opportunity Number (FON) PA-12-134. It used the NIH R21 mechanism and focused on exploratory, early-stage research.
Which NIH institutes co-sponsored this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was co-sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
What was the central aim of PA-12-134?
The central aim was to stimulate interdisciplinary, early-stage research examining how environmental pollutants and toxins affect health in two especially vulnerable groups, children and older adults, when they spend substantial time in non traditional settings (settings outside the usual categories of home, workplace, or traditional schools and clinics).
Who were the priority populations for this research?
The FOA specifically emphasized children and older adults as priority populations because of their vulnerability to environmental exposures and related health impacts.
What does the FOA mean by "non traditional settings"?
"Non traditional settings" referred to places where people live temporarily, receive services, learn, socialize, or receive care that are not typically categorized as home, workplace, or traditional schools/clinics. The FOA intentionally used a broad, inclusive view of these settings.
What are examples of non traditional settings mentioned in the FOA?
Examples listed included community centers; preschool and other non traditional school environments such as churches, daycare facilities, home-based schools, dormitories, and alternative schools; child and older adult foster care facilities; older adult day care facilities; half way homes; and residential care environments such as assisted living and long-term care facilities.
Why did the FOA focus on non traditional settings?
The FOA emphasized that everyday environments where people learn, socialize, receive care, or live temporarily can create real exposure pathways and health risks that may be understudied compared with conventional settings like homes or workplaces. These settings can involve unique building characteristics, maintenance practices, crowding patterns, ventilation differences, or nearby environmental sources that alter exposure and accumulation over time.
What kinds of environmental risks were of interest?
The FOA broadly targeted environmental pollutants and toxicants present in non traditional settings and encouraged research that could identify environmental risks and clarify how those risks translate into symptoms or longer-term health conditions.
What kinds of health outcomes did the FOA highlight?
The announcement highlighted that pollutants and toxicants in these settings can contribute to symptoms and disease outcomes including lower respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease.
Did the FOA require linking exposures to measurable health impacts?
Yes. A key focus was connecting exposure to measurable health impacts and emphasizing practical strategies to reduce harm, rather than only describing hazards.
What did the FOA emphasize about prevention and practical solutions?
The FOA emphasized research that could test or inform prevention approaches and practical strategies that people and communities can actually use, such as reducing exposure opportunities, improving environmental conditions, supporting self-management or caregiver practices, and developing community-informed interventions.
How did nursing science fit into this opportunity?
From a nursing science perspective, the FOA placed special weight on work that connects exposure science to symptom management and prevention in real-world contexts. It emphasized risk identification and symptom management through prevention and behavior change, oriented toward actions at the individual, family, and community levels.
Was health disparities a stated consideration in the FOA?
Yes. The FOA explicitly framed this work as part of reducing health disparities, noting that children and older adults in certain communities may be more likely to spend time in under-resourced facilities or settings with higher environmental burdens.
What funding mechanism did PA-12-134 use?
The opportunity used the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory or developmental research that can generate preliminary data, test new concepts, or establish proof-of-principle.
What was the award ceiling for this R21 opportunity?
The listed award ceiling was $200,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA indicated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was this funding opportunity posted, and when did it close?
It was posted on March 23, 2012. The FOA listed an original and final closing date of January 7, 2016.
Is PA-12-134 still an active grant competition?
No. The FOA was archived on February 7, 2016, meaning it is no longer an active competition, though it remains a reference for the research priorities described.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (with eligibility including small businesses, and for-profits other than small businesses also listed), and multiple levels of government.
Which government entities were listed as eligible applicants?
Eligible government entities included city/township governments, county governments, state governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Were housing authorities eligible?
Yes. The FOA noted eligibility for public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.
Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA listed tribal governments and tribal organizations as eligible applicants.
Did the FOA encourage or allow applications from mission-focused institutions and community organizations?
Yes. The eligibility list included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Were non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA allowed non-U.S. (foreign) institutions to apply, permitted non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations, and allowed foreign components as defined by NIH policy.
What research approach did the FOA encourage?
The FOA encouraged interdisciplinary research that blends environmental exposure measurement and characterization with clinically meaningful outcomes and community-centered prevention approaches, especially in underexamined settings affecting children and older adults.
What were the CFDA areas associated with this FOA?
The FOA sat at the intersection of environmental health (CFDA 93.113) and nursing research (CFDA 93.361).
Where could applicants find the official FOA announcement?
The official announcement was maintained by NIH at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-134.html (archived).
Who was referenced for technical access issues related to the notice?
For technical access issues, the notice directed users to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact listed in the announcement.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 12 134) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Environmental Exposures and Health Exploration of Non Traditional Settings, (R01) Apply for PA 12 133 Funding Number: PA 12 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research to Action Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01) Apply for PA 12 153 Funding Number: PA 12 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| TaRGET I Chromatin Structure, Genomics, and Transcriptional Responses to the Environment (R01) Apply for RFA ES 12 008 Funding Number: RFA ES 12 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) Apply for RFA ES 13 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Superfund Research Program Occupational and Safety Training Education Programs on Emerging Technologies (R25) Apply for RFA ES 13 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| NLM Administrative Supplements for Informationist Services in NIH funded Research Projects (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 13 276 Funding Number: PA 13 276 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biogeochemical Interactions Affecting Bioavailability for in situ Remediation of Hazardous Substances (R01) Apply for RFA ES 13 010 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Analysis of Genome Wide Gene Environment (G x E) Interactions (R21) Apply for PAR 13 382 Funding Number: PAR 13 382 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) Apply for RFA ES 14 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellowship (Parent F33) Apply for PA 14 151 Funding Number: PA 14 151 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Administrative Supplements for the U.S. Japan Brain Research Cooperative Program (BRCP) U.S. Entity (Administrative Supplement) Apply for PA 14 249 Funding Number: PA 14 249 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) Apply for RFA ES 14 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interventions for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Native American Populations (R01) Apply for PAR 14 260 Funding Number: PAR 14 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Hubs of Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) Research (U01) Apply for RFA TW 14 001 Funding Number: RFA TW 14 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Hubs of Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) Research Training (U2R) Apply for RFA TW 14 002 Funding Number: RFA TW 14 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Spatial Uncertainty Data, Modeling, and Communication (R21) Apply for PA 15 009 Funding Number: PA 15 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Spatial Uncertainty Data, Modeling, and Communication (R01) Apply for PA 15 010 Funding Number: PA 15 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Spatial Uncertainty Data, Modeling, and Communication (R03) Apply for PA 15 011 Funding Number: PA 15 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Environmental Influences during Windows of Susceptibility in Breast Cancer Risk (U01) Apply for RFA ES 14 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Coordinating Center for the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program (U01) Apply for RFA ES 14 011 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
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