Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 13 006
Apply for RFA ES 13 006
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Alzheimers Disease (R01)" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 21, 2013 and posted on Jul 11, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 1, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) For profit organizations other than small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Special district governments Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities City or township governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) 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 not eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Alzheimers Disease (R01) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports research aimed at clearly connecting environmental exposures with the risk of developing Alzheimers disease (AD). The central goal is to move beyond general associations and generate stronger evidence about how specific exposures may contribute to AD onset, progression, or susceptibility. The announcement encourages a wide range of approaches, including basic laboratory and mechanistic studies that explain biological pathways, as well as human-focused studies that evaluate exposure histories, biomarkers, and real-world health outcomes. A key emphasis is understanding how environmental factors may interact with processes already implicated in AD, especially inflammation and genetic susceptibility, so projects that integrate exposure science with neurobiology, immunology, and genetics are particularly aligned with the intent of the program.
This opportunity uses the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism, which is designed for more mature, hypothesis-driven projects with clearly defined aims and a substantial scope compared to exploratory mechanisms. It runs in parallel with a companion funding announcement (RFA-ES-13-007) that uses the R21 mechanism, which is typically more exploratory or developmental. In practice, the R01 track is meant for proposals that have stronger preliminary evidence or a well-developed study plan and are positioned to deliver more definitive results about exposure-AD links and underlying mechanisms.
The funding opportunity is associated with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) strategic priorities, explicitly tying the program to the NIEHS 2012-2017 Strategic Plan. That connection signals that NIEHS is seeking research that fits within broader environmental health goals, such as identifying environmental contributors to disease, clarifying mechanisms of toxicity and susceptibility, and improving the evidence base needed to reduce harmful exposures and protect public health. While the announcement is focused on Alzheimers disease, it is framed through an environmental health lens, meaning strong applications would be expected to take exposure assessment seriously (for example, characterizing exposure type, timing, duration, mixtures, or relevant biomarkers) and connect those exposure measures to biologically plausible pathways relevant to AD.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the environment and health category (CFDA 93.113, Environmental Health). The FOA number is RFA-ES-13-006 and it anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding level of $1.5 million. The award ceiling listed is $350,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which is typical for many NIH research grants. The opportunity was posted July 11, 2013, with an original closing date of October 31, 2013, a current closing date of November 1, 2013, and an archive date of December 1, 2013, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation rather than an open-ended program announcement.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with the noted exclusions related to institutions of higher education); small businesses and for-profit organizations other than small businesses; independent school districts; and public or Indian housing authorities. The eligibility language also highlights inclusion of organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, though foreign components (as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, which can matter for projects needing specific expertise, cohorts, specimens, or analytic capabilities outside the U.S. while still being led by an eligible domestic applicant.
Overall, this FOA is essentially a targeted call for rigorous R01-level studies that can clarify whether, how, and under what conditions environmental exposures contribute to Alzheimers disease risk, especially through interactions with inflammatory pathways and genetic vulnerability. The program intent is both mechanistic and translational: it seeks biological understanding that can make epidemiologic signals more credible and actionable, and it encourages human-focused research that can bring exposure science into closer alignment with AD-relevant outcomes and mechanisms. For full details, NIH directs applicants to the official announcement page at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-13-006.html, and provides NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) web support contacts for access or linking issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Alzheimers Disease (R01).
Which federal agency and NIH institute are associated with this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity associated with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
What is the FOA number?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number is RFA-ES-13-006.
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism, intended for more mature, hypothesis-driven projects with clearly defined aims and substantial scope.
What is the central goal of the program?
The central goal is to move beyond general associations and generate stronger evidence that clearly connects specific environmental exposures with the risk of developing Alzheimers disease (AD), including how exposures may influence onset, progression, or susceptibility.
What kinds of research approaches are encouraged?
The announcement encourages a wide range of approaches, including:
- Basic laboratory and mechanistic studies that explain biological pathways
- Human-focused studies evaluating exposure histories, biomarkers, and real-world health outcomes
- Projects that integrate exposure science with neurobiology, immunology, and genetics
What scientific themes are especially aligned with the intent of the program?
A key emphasis is understanding how environmental factors may interact with processes already implicated in AD, especially inflammation and genetic susceptibility. Projects that link exposures to biologically plausible AD-relevant pathways are particularly aligned.
Is this opportunity focused on associations or on stronger causal evidence?
It is explicitly aimed at moving beyond general associations toward stronger evidence about how specific exposures may contribute to AD risk and related mechanisms.
How does this opportunity frame Alzheimers disease research?
While the topic is Alzheimers disease, the FOA is framed through an environmental health lens, emphasizing serious exposure assessment and clear links to AD-relevant biology and outcomes.
What does the FOA suggest about exposure assessment expectations?
Strong applications would be expected to take exposure assessment seriously, for example by characterizing:
- Exposure type
- Timing
- Duration
- Mixtures
- Relevant biomarkers
And then connecting those exposure measures to biologically plausible pathways relevant to AD.
Is there a related or companion funding announcement?
Yes. This opportunity runs in parallel with a companion announcement, RFA-ES-13-007, which uses the R21 mechanism (typically more exploratory or developmental).
How is the R01 track described compared to the R21 companion?
The R01 track is described as being for proposals with stronger preliminary evidence or a well-developed study plan, positioned to deliver more definitive results about exposure-AD links and underlying mechanisms.
What is the program area or category for this grant?
It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity in the environment and health category.
What is the CFDA number and program name?
The CFDA listing is 93.113, Environmental Health.
How many awards were anticipated?
The FOA anticipated making about three awards.
What was the estimated total funding level?
The estimated total funding level was approximately $1.5 million.
What is the award ceiling listed in the opportunity summary?
The award ceiling listed is $350,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The summary indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement, which is typical for many NIH research grants.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 11, 2013.
What were the closing and archive dates?
The summary lists:
- Original closing date: October 31, 2013
- Current closing date: November 1, 2013
- Archive date: December 1, 2013
This indicates it was a time-limited solicitation rather than an open-ended program announcement.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with noted exclusions related to institutions of higher education)
- Small businesses
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Public or Indian housing authorities
Does the eligibility language mention specific institution types and community organizations?
Yes. It highlights inclusion of organizations such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, AANAPISIs, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
No. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations under this FOA.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. The summary states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are foreign components allowed at all?
Yes. The FOA allows foreign components (as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement). This may matter for projects needing specific expertise, cohorts, specimens, or analytic capabilities outside the U.S., while still being led by an eligible domestic applicant.
How does this opportunity connect to NIEHS strategic priorities?
The FOA is explicitly tied to the NIEHS 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, signaling interest in research aligned with broader environmental health goals such as identifying environmental contributors to disease, clarifying mechanisms of toxicity and susceptibility, and improving evidence to reduce harmful exposures and protect public health.
What is the overall intent of the program in practical terms?
It is a targeted call for rigorous R01-level studies that clarify whether, how, and under what conditions environmental exposures contribute to AD risk, especially through interactions with inflammation and genetic vulnerability. The intent is both mechanistic and translational.
Where can applicants find the official NIH announcement page?
The official announcement page is listed as: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-13-006.html
Who is listed for help with access or linking issues?
The summary notes NIH provides NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) web support contacts for access or linking issues.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment Health
Next opportunity: Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Neurodegenerative Disease (R21)
Previous opportunity: Rio Grande National Heritage Area
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA ES 13 006
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA ES 13 006) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Neurodegenerative Disease (R21) Apply for RFA ES 13 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Novel Methods for Obtaining Molecular Information from Archived Tissue Samples (SBIR R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 13 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Role of Environmental Exposures in the Development of Autoimmune Disease (R21) Apply for RFA ES 13 011 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Validation and Demonstration of Devices for Environmental Exposure Assessment (R21/R33) Apply for RFA ES 13 013 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award (R01) Apply for RFA ES 13 014 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHS CC) (P30) Apply for RFA ES 13 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| NIH Revision Awards for Creating Virtual Consortium for Translational/Transdisciplinary Environmental Research (ViCTER)(R01) Apply for PAR 14 050 Funding Number: PAR 14 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Developing Mercury Inventories for Artisanal and Small scale Gold Mining Sectors in Southeast Asia Apply for OES OMM 14 001 Funding Number: OES OMM 14 001 Agency: Ocean and International Environmental Scientific Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Novel Technologies for Rapid and Sensitive Biomonitoring in Humans (R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 14 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 14 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25) Apply for RFA ES 14 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Innovative Approaches for the Identification of Mitochondria Cell Signaling Networks in Response to Environmental Stress Apply for RFA ES 14 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Hazmat Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4) Apply for RFA ES 14 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45) Apply for RFA ES 14 008 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Childrens Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers (P50) Apply for RFA ES 14 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award (R01) Apply for RFA ES 15 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| Novel Assays for Screening the Effects of Chemical Toxicants on Cell Differentiation (R41) Apply for RFA ES 15 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Novel Assays for Screening the Effects of Chemical Toxicants on Cell Differentiation (R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 15 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHS CC) (P30) Apply for RFA ES 15 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Collaborative Activities to promote High Dimensional Molecular Analyses in NIEHS supported Childrens Environmental Health Studies (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 15 123 Funding Number: PA 15 123 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA ES 13 006", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.