Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 13 013
Apply for RFA ES 13 013
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Validation and Demonstration of Devices for Environmental Exposure Assessment (R21/R33)" 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 Nov 12, 2013 and posted on Nov 12, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 4, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) State governments City or township governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Public and State controlled institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education County governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) 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) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) 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 NIH funding opportunity "Validation and Demonstration of Devices for Environmental Exposure Assessment (R21/R33)" (RFA-ES-13-013; CFDA 93.113 Environmental Health) was designed to move promising prototype tools for measuring personal environmental exposures out of the lab and into real-world field use. The central idea is that better exposure measurement is often the limiting factor in environmental health research, especially in epidemiologic studies where exposure misclassification can weaken or obscure links between environmental factors and health outcomes. To address that gap, the FOA supports a structured, phased process that helps investigators prove that a new or improved device is not only technically sound, but also reliable, usable, and scientifically valuable when deployed with people in realistic conditions.
A defining feature of the announcement is its emphasis on partnership. Projects are expected to involve close collaboration between the people building or refining the device (tool developers, engineers, exposure scientists, or related teams) and the environmental epidemiologists who will ultimately use the device to answer health questions. This partnership requirement reflects the practical reality that devices can look great under controlled test conditions yet fail in field studies because of participant burden, inconsistent performance across settings, data handling problems, or lack of integration with epidemiologic workflows. By requiring joint work between developers and end users, the FOA aims to produce tools that are ready for broader adoption and that generate data epidemiologists can actually use.
The award mechanism is phased: an initial R21 phase followed by an R33 phase. In the R21 stage, the project focuses on iterative refinement of a prototype device through evaluation in a pilot-scale study. This phase is essentially about proving the device can perform in the real world. Key expectations include demonstrating data quality (that the measurements are credible and fit for exposure assessment), tool reliability (that it works consistently and robustly), and usability (that it can be deployed with study participants and field staff without creating unmanageable burden). The language about "iterative refinement" matters: the intent is not simply to test a static prototype once, but to use pilot findings to improve hardware, software, protocols, calibration approaches, participant instructions, and data pipelines so the tool becomes field-ready.
The second phase, R33, is geared toward demonstrating value at a larger scale in an epidemiological study. Here the device is applied in a broader study context to show it contributes something meaningful scientifically, not just technically. In practical terms, this means showing that the tool improves exposure assessment compared with conventional methods (for example, by increasing temporal resolution, capturing personal rather than ambient exposures, reducing recall bias, improving specificity for a pollutant or exposure source, or better characterizing variability across people and places). It also means showing that the improved exposure information strengthens the ability to estimate relationships between exposures and health outcomes, which is the ultimate reason epidemiology needs better measurement tools. The R33 phase is therefore positioned as the "demonstration" stage: it is meant to provide convincing evidence that the tool changes what researchers can learn, not merely that it can collect data.
Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary NIH grant with no cost sharing or matching requirement. It was posted on November 12, 2013, with an original and current closing date of February 4, 2014, and it was archived on March 7, 2014. While the dates indicate it is not currently active, the structure and intent remain a useful model for how NIH supports translation of exposure assessment technology into epidemiologic practice.
Eligibility under this FOA was broad and inclusive across many organization types. Eligible applicants included nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), public and private institutions of higher education, and a wide range of government entities (state, county, city or township, special districts, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities). Tribal governments and tribal organizations were also eligible, along with a number of mission-relevant institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions. Importantly, foreign organizations and foreign institutions were allowed to apply, and foreign components of U.S. organizations were permitted as defined in NIH policy, which signals NIH interest in tools that can be validated across diverse environments and populations.
In short, this FOA funded a two-step pathway for exposure assessment device translation: first, prove and improve the tool in a real-world pilot while demonstrating quality, reliability, and usability (R21), then show at larger scale that the tool measurably improves exposure assessment and strengthens exposure-health analyses in epidemiologic research (R33). The program is essentially about bridging the common gap between prototype development and meaningful public health impact by insisting on field validation, end-user collaboration, and evidence that the tool actually advances environmental health science.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Validation and Demonstration of Devices for Environmental Exposure Assessment (R21/R33)."
What is the FOA number and CFDA program associated with it?
The FOA number is RFA-ES-13-013. The CFDA listing referenced is 93.113 Environmental Health.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The FOA was designed to move promising prototype tools for measuring personal environmental exposures out of the laboratory and into real-world field use through a structured, phased process.
Why is NIH emphasizing new or improved exposure measurement devices in this FOA?
The FOA is based on the idea that exposure measurement is often the limiting factor in environmental health research. In epidemiologic studies, exposure misclassification can weaken or obscure links between environmental factors and health outcomes, so better measurement tools can improve scientific conclusions.
What types of tools or devices is this opportunity trying to advance?
It supports new or improved devices and tools intended for measuring personal environmental exposures, with the expectation that they can be validated and demonstrated in real-world, field-based conditions.
What does "move prototypes out of the lab and into real-world field use" mean in this context?
It means the device should be tested and refined under realistic conditions with people, field staff, and real study workflows, not only under controlled laboratory conditions.
What is the overall structure of the award mechanism?
This is a phased award mechanism with an initial R21 phase followed by an R33 phase.
What is the focus of the R21 phase?
The R21 phase focuses on iterative refinement of a prototype device through evaluation in a pilot-scale study, with the intent of proving the device can perform in the real world.
What does "iterative refinement" mean for an R21 project under this FOA?
It means the intent is not to test a static prototype once. Instead, investigators are expected to use pilot findings to improve the device and its supporting methods, such as hardware, software, protocols, calibration approaches, participant instructions, and data pipelines.
What kinds of performance expectations are emphasized for the R21 phase?
The R21 phase emphasizes demonstrating (1) data quality (credible measurements fit for exposure assessment), (2) tool reliability (consistent and robust performance), and (3) usability (deployable with study participants and field staff without unmanageable burden).
What is the focus of the R33 phase?
The R33 phase is geared toward demonstrating the value of the device at a larger scale in an epidemiological study, showing that the tool contributes something meaningful scientifically, not just technically.
What does "demonstration" mean in the R33 phase?
In the R33 phase, "demonstration" means providing convincing evidence that using the tool changes what researchers can learn by improving exposure assessment and strengthening the ability to estimate relationships between exposures and health outcomes.
How is success in the R33 phase described in the FOA summary provided?
Success is described as showing that the device improves exposure assessment compared with conventional methods and that the improved exposure information strengthens exposure-health analyses in epidemiologic research.
What are examples of how a tool might improve exposure assessment compared with conventional methods?
Examples noted include increasing temporal resolution, capturing personal rather than ambient exposures, reducing recall bias, improving specificity for a pollutant or exposure source, and better characterizing variability across people and places.
Why does this FOA place such a strong emphasis on collaboration?
The FOA emphasizes partnership because devices can perform well in controlled settings but fail in field studies due to participant burden, inconsistent performance across settings, data handling issues, or poor integration with epidemiologic workflows.
Who is expected to collaborate on projects supported by this FOA?
Projects are expected to involve close collaboration between device/tool developers (such as engineers, exposure scientists, or related teams) and environmental epidemiologists who will ultimately use the device in studies.
What practical problems is the required developer-and-end-user partnership meant to prevent?
It is meant to reduce the risk that a device will be impractical in the field due to participant burden, inconsistent field performance, data handling problems, or lack of fit with epidemiologic workflows.
Does this FOA require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The opportunity was described as a discretionary NIH grant with no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on November 12, 2013, and had an original and current closing date of February 4, 2014.
Is this funding opportunity currently active?
No. It was archived on March 7, 2014, and the posted dates indicate it is not currently active.
What kinds of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included nonprofits (501(c)(3) and other nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), public and private institutions of higher education, and a range of government entities.
Which government entities were listed as eligible?
Eligible government entities included state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Tribal governments and tribal organizations were listed as eligible applicants.
Were specific mission-relevant institution types included in eligibility?
Yes. The eligibility description included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions.
Were foreign organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. Foreign organizations and foreign institutions were allowed to apply.
Were foreign components of U.S. organizations allowed?
Yes. Foreign components of U.S. organizations were permitted, as defined in NIH policy.
What does allowing foreign applicants and foreign components signal about the FOA's intent?
It signals interest in tools that can be validated across diverse environments and populations.
What is the core pathway this FOA aimed to fund?
The FOA funded a two-step pathway: (1) prove and improve the tool in a real-world pilot while demonstrating quality, reliability, and usability (R21), and (2) demonstrate at larger scale that the tool improves exposure assessment and strengthens exposure-health analyses in epidemiologic research (R33).
What larger problem in environmental health research was this FOA trying to address?
It aimed to bridge the gap between prototype development and meaningful public health impact by insisting on field validation, end-user collaboration, and evidence that the tool advances environmental health science.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 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 |
| Childrens Health Exposure Analysis Resource (CHEAR) National Exposure Assessment Laboratory Network (U2C) Apply for RFA ES 15 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Childrens Health Exposure Analysis Resource (CHEAR) Data Repository, Analysis and Science Center (U2C) Apply for RFA ES 15 010 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Childrens Health Exposure Analysis Resource (CHEAR) Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA ES 15 011 Funding Number: RFA ES 15 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $3,300,000 |
| Annual Program Statement Policy, Advocacy, and Communication Enhanced for Population and Reproductive Health (PACE) Apply for SOL OAA 15 000054 Funding Number: SOL OAA 15 000054 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $55,000,000 |
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