Exploratory/Developmental Grants Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (R21)

The Exploratory/Developmental Grants Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (R21) funding opportunity is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which operates under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program originates from the World Trade Center Health Program established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and extended in 2015. The program is designed to provide medical monitoring and treatment for individuals affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks while also supporting research to better understand and address related health conditions. The funding opportunity reflects a federal commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and improving care for populations directly impacted by 9/11 exposures. The primary purpose of this grant is to support exploratory or developmental research projects that are in early or conceptual stages. The focus is on generating scientific evidence that can improve diagnosis, treatment, and overall well-being for populations exposed to the 9/11 attacks. Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative research where existing data may be limited, emphasizing feasibility studies that can lead to new or improved interventions, methodologies, or care approaches. Projects must align with at least one objective, such as improving diagnostic and treatment activities, expanding knowledge of health effects related to 9/11, addressing key physical or mental health questions, or applying lessons learned to future disaster response. Funding under this opportunity is structured to support projects for up to two years, with 12-month budget periods. The expected total program funding is approximately $18 million over three years, with about $6 million allocated annually and an estimated 36 awards made during the performance period. Individual awards are expected to average $250,000 per year, with a maximum of $365,000 per year. Funds must be used for reasonable and allowable research purposes aligned with federal regulations. Certain costs are restricted, including clinical care beyond permitted limits, lobbying activities, and unapproved pre-award expenses. Applicants must also account for indirect cost policies and budget categories such as personnel, equipment, travel, and supplies. Eligibility for this grant is broad and includes a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations including small businesses, tribal governments and organizations, and federally funded research and development centers. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, although foreign collaborators may be included in a limited capacity. Principal investigators must be affiliated with an eligible organization, as awards are not made directly to individuals. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple required components such as the SF-424 forms, research plan, budget forms, human subjects documentation, and other supporting materials. Applicants must also maintain active registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons prior to submission. An optional letter of intent may be submitted ahead of the application deadline to assist with review planning. Applications must adhere strictly to formatting and content requirements, including page limits and required attachments. Submissions are evaluated based on responsiveness criteria before proceeding to a two-level merit review process involving external and internal scientific reviewers. Evaluation criteria focus on scientific merit, including significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, research strategy, and environment. Additional considerations include protections for human subjects, inclusion of children where applicable, and the feasibility and rigor of the proposed methods. Applications are scored based on overall impact, and funding decisions are influenced by program priorities, portfolio balance, and available appropriations. Successful applicants receive a Notice of Award outlining terms and conditions, while unsuccessful applicants are notified accordingly. Key deadlines for this opportunity include multiple application submission dates: June 23, 2026; December 8, 2026; and October 26, 2027, with optional letters of intent due approximately one month prior to each cycle. Expected award dates occur in August 2026, June 2027, and June 2028, with project start dates following shortly thereafter. The opportunity is recurring across multiple cycles until its expiration date in October 2027. Applicants may contact designated scientific, review, or grants management officials for assistance, and ongoing compliance with federal regulations and reporting requirements is required for all award recipients.

Emphasize innovative exploratory concepts with potential clinical impact; focus on diagnostic or treatment uncertainty affecting World Trade Center Health Program members; clearly explain feasibility and how the project could lead to improved interventions, methodologies, or treatment approaches despite limited preliminary data