NIOSH National Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury (U54)

The funding opportunity titled NIOSH National Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury (U54) is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the federal government seeks to address persistent occupational safety challenges in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, particularly those affecting children and adolescents. Youth working in agriculture experience disproportionately high rates of fatal injuries compared to other industries, and this program is designed to establish a centralized national effort to reduce those risks through coordinated research, education, and outreach. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to fund a single National Center of Excellence, referred to as the National Children's Center, which will operate at a national scale. The Center is expected to lead comprehensive efforts to improve the safety, health, and well-being of youth in agricultural environments. Core objectives include enhancing data collection and analysis related to injuries and illnesses, advancing research to fill gaps in knowledge, and developing and implementing interventions that reduce hazards. The program emphasizes translating scientific findings into practical solutions that can be applied across agricultural communities. Funding will support a wide range of allowable activities including research studies, intervention development, evaluation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation, and dissemination of best practices. The Center is also expected to conduct outreach and build partnerships with local, regional, and national stakeholders. Collaboration is a central requirement, including coordination with other NIOSH centers, academic institutions, industry groups, and community organizations. While no cost sharing or matching is required, applicants must demonstrate the capacity to manage a large-scale, multi-component national program. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, school districts, and for-profit entities including small businesses. However, eligibility is restricted to U.S.-based entities, as foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are explicitly excluded. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to operate at a national level and manage research, implementation, and dissemination activities across diverse agricultural communities. The application process will be conducted electronically, with submissions required through official federal systems by the stated deadline. Applications must be submitted by March 3, 2027, at 11:59 pm local time of the applicant organization. The opportunity is currently in a forecast stage, with an estimated posting date of December 4, 2026. Applicants should prepare for a comprehensive submission likely including research plans, collaboration strategies, and evidence of organizational capacity. There is no indication of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. Applications will be evaluated based on their ability to meet program objectives, demonstrate scientific rigor, and show strong collaboration and dissemination strategies. The selected awardee is expected to begin the project on September 30, 2027, following an anticipated award date of August 30, 2027. The total program funding is estimated at eight million dollars, with a maximum award ceiling of one million six hundred thousand dollars. For additional information, applicants may contact the Scientific Program Official, Jessica Streit, via email or phone for guidance regarding the program.

Emphasize national scope, strong research design, and collaboration capacity