Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA · United States

NIOSH Exploratory/Developmental Grant Program (R21)

Forecast — expected to open 16 Dec 2026

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA expects to make 10 awards of up to $300,000 each, from a total budget of $3 million. This is a forecast: the funder has announced the opportunity but it is not open yet; posting is expected around 16 Dec 2026 and the estimated deadline is 16 Feb 2027. Eligible applicant types include native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), small businesses, public and State controlled institutions of higher education and 12 more.

Deadline: Estimated 16 Feb 2027 (not yet confirmed)
Opens: 16 Dec 2026
Grant amount: Up to $300,000 per project
Total budget: $3 million
Funding rate: No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated
Total budget: $3 million
Expected awards: 10
Cost sharing: Not required
Likely applicant types: Public bodies, SMEs / start-ups, Companies, Universities & research, Non-profits, Individuals From source categories or programme rules; the call decides.
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
Reference: RFA-OH-27-033
Assistance listing: 93.262 Occupational Safety and Health Program
Last checked: 15 Nov 2026

Open the official call ↗

About this call

The R21 grant program is designed to advance our understanding of occupational diseases and injuries by focusing on the following three objectives:

• Identify the risks and conditions linked to workplace health issues.

• Develop strategies to reduce risks and limit exposure to hazardous environments.

• Translate significant scientific discoveries into prevention measures and products that can effectively reduce work-related illnesses and injuries.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) actively supports exploratory and developmental research projects (R21) that pursue:

• Innovative scientific concepts.

• New model systems.

• Tools or technologies with the potential to make a meaningful impact on occupational safety and health.

Through this NOFO, applicants will:

• Provide a clear and concise description of the specific occupational health burden the proposal addresses.

• Demonstrate how the proposed research activities will lead to outputs that directly contribute to alleviating this burden.

Read the full text

• Outline the expected outcomes and impacts of their research during the project and in the long term.

Who can apply

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Small businesses
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
County governments
Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
City or township governments
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
State governments
Independent school districts
Private institutions of higher education
Special district governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Health

Timing

for New Applications; Standard Due Dates apply for future dates. All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm local time of the applicant organization.

How to apply

Read the full notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) linked from the official page: eligibility, cost sharing and evaluation criteria.
Make sure your organisation has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID (UEI); registration can take several weeks.
Register with Grants.gov and set up a Workspace for this opportunity, with the right roles for your organisation.
Prepare the required forms, narrative, budget and attachments exactly as the NOFO specifies.
Submit before the deadline and keep the tracking number. Check for amendments before you submit.

From the call text

Who can apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Company stage: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Single applicant or consortium: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where applicants must be based: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where to apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

Bridgette Garrett, PhD, Scientific Program Official · bgarrett@cdc.gov · 770-488-5715

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the official source and were last checked 15 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.