Mechanistic Toxicology of METALS: Metal Exposure, Transport, Action, Localization, and Susceptibility (RP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, forecasts funding through the Mechanistic Toxicology of METALS: Metal Exposure, Transport, Action, Localization, and Susceptibility (RP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity, identified as RFA-ES-27-009. This is a federal discretionary grant opportunity in the Health funding activity category under Assistance Listing 93.113, Environmental Health. The forecast was issued on September 14, 2026, and identifies an expected 20 awards with estimated total program funding of $15,000,000. The purpose of the opportunity is to support mechanistic research examining how exposure to metals and metal-containing compounds alters biological processes relevant to human health. Research of particular interest includes studies that clarify the absorption, distribution, transport, cellular trafficking, biological interactions, and mechanisms of action of metals. The opportunity also highlights mechanisms through which metals may alter immune homeostasis, cross the placental barrier, or gain access to and affect the central nervous system. Supported research may employ experimental models, new approach methodologies, computational approaches, or human biospecimens when those approaches are used to address defined mechanistic hypotheses. The forecast does not provide a more detailed list of allowable or prohibited expenditures, indirect cost restrictions, subaward restrictions, or a stated project period. Clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity, as explicitly indicated in the opportunity title. No cost sharing or matching contribution is required. Eligible applicants encompass a broad range of governmental, nonprofit, educational, tribal, housing, and commercial entities. Listed applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without federal 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, small businesses, and for profit organizations other than small businesses. Additional eligible applicants identified in the forecast include Indian or Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized governments, eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territories or possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations. This opportunity remains in forecast status and is not yet at its estimated application opening point. The estimated posting date is December 4, 2026, and the estimated application due date is January 5, 2027. The source does not identify a letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, initial application, or other pre-application gating requirement. It also does not provide application forms, required uploads, narrative questions, evaluation criteria, review scoring criteria, or other detailed submission mechanics. These elements may be provided when the full funding opportunity is posted. The estimated award date is July 31, 2027, and the estimated project start date is also July 31, 2027. The forecast identifies an award floor of $100,000 and an award ceiling of $500,000. It does not state that the opportunity is rolling or recurring, and no future recurring cycle is identified. Questions regarding the funding opportunity may be directed to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences program contact inbox at NOFO.information@niehs.nih.gov. No individual grantor contact person or telephone number is provided in the supplied source.

Center the proposed research on a defined mechanistic hypothesis addressing how exposure to metals or metal-containing compounds alters biological processes relevant to human health. Strong topical alignment includes absorption, distribution, transport, cellular trafficking, biological interactions, mechanisms of action, immune homeostasis, placental transfer, or access to and effects on the central nervous system.