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FAQs: NIOSH Exploratory/Developmental Grant Program (R21) - PAR 12 252

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the NIOSH Exploratory/Developmental Grant Program (R21), a discretionary grant opportunity offered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Occupational Safety and Health Program (CFDA 93.262). It was listed under Funding Opportunity Number PAR 12 252.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The core purpose was to support early-stage, exploratory, or developmental research that strengthens the understanding of occupational diseases and injuries, with a strong emphasis on practical, prevention-focused science.

What types of research did the program prioritize?

The description emphasizes research that (1) identifies workplace hazards and risk conditions, (2) tests or explores ways to reduce those risks, and (3) helps move scientific findings into real-world prevention practices, tools, or products that can measurably reduce work-related illnesses and injuries.

What does "prevention-focused" mean in this announcement?

Prevention-focused work, as described, includes studying hazards and risk conditions in workplaces and exploring methods, interventions, guidance, tools, or products that reduce or minimize exposures and ultimately reduce occupational injuries and illnesses.

What does "translation" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Translation refers to work that goes beyond discovery (for example, identifying hazards or mechanisms) and supports converting findings into actionable prevention strategies that can be used by workplaces in practice.

Is this intended for large, long-term research programs?

No. The opportunity used the R21 mechanism, which is structured to encourage innovative ideas and shorter, proof-of-concept style projects rather than large, long-term research programs.

What kinds of outcomes or outputs were encouraged?

Based on the description, encouraged outputs included actionable prevention strategies, guidance, interventions, and other workplace-usable practices, tools, or products aimed at reducing occupational illnesses and injuries.

How much funding was available under this opportunity?

The estimated total available funding listed was $275,000.

What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling was $275,000.

Was there a minimum award amount (award floor)?

No award floor was stated in the listing.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement specified that no cost sharing or matching requirement applied.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included many U.S.-based organization types, including higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and multiple levels of U.S. government (state, county, city/township, special districts, and tribal governments). The listing also included U.S. territories or possessions, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, certain tribal organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, and bona fide agents.

Did the program encourage applications from specific types of colleges and universities?

Yes. The listing explicitly encouraged institutions such as Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.

Are for-profit companies allowed to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, were listed as eligible applicants.

Are state, local, or tribal governments eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list included state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and tribal governments.

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

No. The opportunity stated that foreign institutions and other non-U.S. entities were not eligible to apply.

Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component on the project?

No. The opportunity stated that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations were not eligible.

Are foreign components allowed under this announcement?

No. Foreign components (as defined in NIH policy) were explicitly not allowed.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on July 31, 2012.

What was the original closing date?

The listing provided an original closing date of September 8, 2015.

What time were applications due on the deadline date?

The standard submission convention applied: applications were due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

Is this opportunity still open for new applications?

No. The listing indicates it was archived on October 8, 2015, meaning it is no longer active for new submissions under that specific announcement.

Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement details?

Applicants were directed to the full announcement via the NIH Grants Guide link provided in the listing.

Who do applicants contact if they have trouble accessing the announcement or need help?

The contact point listed was the CDC Procurement and Grants Office (TIMS). Phone: 770-488-2700. Email: PGOTIM@cdc.gov.

Which agency offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it is described as part of the Occupational Safety and Health Program associated with NIOSH.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The listing associated the opportunity with CFDA 93.262.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed was PAR 12 252.