Role of Environmental Chemical Exposures in the Development of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (R01) | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This funding opportunity (PAR 11-170) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 research grant announcement led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Its main goal is to support research that clarifies whether, how, and when environmental chemical exposures contribute to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The announcement is built around a straightforward requirement: applicants need to connect an identifiable environmental exposure to measurable increases in disease-related outcomes, such as weight gain, impaired glucose tolerance, reduced insulin sensitivity, and other metabolic syndrome features. In other words, studies should not simply measure exposures or describe associations in isolation; they should explicitly tie exposure to relevant metabolic endpoints in a way that strengthens causal understanding.

A central emphasis of the program is timing of exposure, especially developmental periods that may set long-term metabolic trajectories. While the announcement allows any exposure window, it points to in utero, neonatal, and early childhood periods as likely to be especially sensitive windows when chemicals could influence later obesity and diabetes risk. For human research, this means applicants are expected to focus on developmental exposures (for example, exposures during pregnancy or early childhood) and link those exposures to early biomarkers that indicate the beginning of disease processes, rather than waiting only for fully developed adult disease outcomes. This framing encourages studies that can identify early warning signals, mechanisms, or intermediate phenotypes that predict later obesity or diabetes, which can be critical for prevention-focused public health approaches.

The opportunity also strongly supports animal model research, but with expectations that go beyond observing weight changes. Animal studies are encouraged to identify specific environmental chemicals that alter metabolic endpoints indicative of disease development and to pinpoint where in the body those effects occur and through what biological mechanisms. The intent is to move toward mechanistic explanations, such as identifying target tissues and pathways that link chemical exposure to metabolic disruption. This could include, for example, research on how exposures affect endocrine signaling, adipose tissue development, pancreatic function, liver metabolism, inflammation, or other systems tied to insulin sensitivity and energy balance, as long as the project clearly connects exposure to disease-relevant outcomes and explains the biological chain of events.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity using the NIH R01 mechanism, categorized under environmental health research. It is listed under CFDA numbers 93.113 (Environmental Health) and 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research), reflecting both the environmental health focus and the importance of developmental windows. Cost sharing or matching is not required, which is typical for many NIH research grants.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, school districts, special district governments, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses are explicitly listed, and small businesses are also included). The announcement also notes additional eligible applicants such as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, US territories or possessions, and non-US entities (foreign organizations). It also allows foreign components of US organizations, which can be important for studies involving international cohorts, unique exposure scenarios, or specialized laboratory capabilities.

Key dates in the source listing show it was posted March 18, 2011, with an original closing date of May 23, 2013, and an archive date of April 9, 2012; the record also notes a current closing date of March 9, 2012, indicating the announcement has been archived and is no longer active. The full announcement was available via the NIH grants guide link provided in the record. For access or technical issues, the contact point listed is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV), which is aimed at resolving electronic access or linking problems rather than scientific/programmatic questions.

Overall, the program announcement is designed to push the field toward stronger evidence that environmental chemicals can play a meaningful role in metabolic disease risk, with particular attention to early-life exposures, measurable metabolic outcomes, and biologically plausible mechanisms. The expectation is that funded projects will help explain not only whether environmental exposures are associated with obesity and diabetes, but also when exposure matters most and how exposures translate into long-term metabolic dysfunction.

Browse more business programs for Environmental Groups, Diabetes Research

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment Health

Next opportunity: Role of Environmental Chemical Exposures in the Development of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (R21)

Previous opportunity: FY 2011 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting refugees and refugee returnees in Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda

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 PAR 11 170

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 11 170) also looked into and applied for these:

 

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 "PAR 11 170", 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.