Grants to Support New Investigators in Conducting Research Related to Preventing Interpersonal Violence and Suicide Among Children and Youth (K01)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administers this funding opportunity through its National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. This program is structured as a Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01), designed specifically to cultivate early-career investigators. The CDC’s broader mission includes advancing public health through research and prevention strategies, and this opportunity aligns with that mission by strengthening the pipeline of researchers focused on preventing interpersonal violence and suicide among children and youth. The primary purpose of this grant is to support new investigators in developing independent research careers while conducting studies that address critical public health issues affecting individuals from birth through age 17. Applicants are required to propose research projects aligned with CDC-defined priority areas, including adverse childhood experiences, child abuse and neglect, youth violence, intimate partner violence (including teen dating violence), sexual violence, suicide, and cross-cutting prevention topics. The program emphasizes not only academic research but also practical application, encouraging projects that contribute to real-world prevention and intervention strategies. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support both research activities and the professional development of the investigator. While the award ceiling is set at 150,000 dollars per award, the total estimated program funding is 1,800,000 dollars distributed across approximately four awards. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, making the funding fully supported by the federal government. Allowable uses of funds generally include research personnel, data collection, analysis, and activities that enhance the investigator’s research capabilities, though detailed spending restrictions are expected to be outlined in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes a wide range of organizational types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, state and local government entities, tribal governments and organizations, school districts, public housing authorities, and both small and large for-profit organizations. This inclusivity reflects the CDC’s interest in fostering interdisciplinary and cross-sector research collaborations. Additional eligibility requirements are expected to be clarified in the official NOFO, particularly regarding applicant qualifications and mentorship structures required for K01 awards. The application process requires electronic submission through Grants.gov, with all applications due by June 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. While no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent are specified in the forecast, applicants should anticipate a comprehensive submission package typical of federal research grants, including a detailed research plan, budget justification, and mentorship plan. The estimated award date is August 27, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026, indicating a relatively short turnaround between submission and project initiation. Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with CDC research priorities, the scientific merit of the proposed study, the potential for the investigator to develop into an independent researcher, and the feasibility and impact of the research design. Emphasis is likely placed on innovation, methodological rigor, and the potential to inform prevention strategies. The CDC encourages applicants to explore multiple forms of violence or suicide risk factors and to consider community-level influences that contribute to these outcomes. This opportunity is currently in a forecast stage, meaning it has been announced in advance of the official funding notice. The forecasted posting date is May 11, 2026, with updates continuing as the opportunity progresses. The program does not explicitly state recurrence, but similar CDC K01 opportunities are often released periodically. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare early, given the competitive nature of federal research funding and the importance of aligning proposals with CDC priorities.

Ensure strong alignment with CDC priority areas and demonstrate clear pathways to prevention impact; emphasize methodological rigor and relevance to real-world interventions