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

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program supports exploratory and developmental research projects (R21) that address issues related to diagnostic or treatment uncertainty among individuals receiving monitoring and/or treatment under Subtitle C of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, as amended. This R21 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by supporting the early and conceptual stages of project development to assess the feasibility of new areas of investigation with the potential to improve treatment effectiveness and diagnostic practices. Applicants are expected to propose research for which there is likely to be minimal or no preliminary data. Some key points to consider: • Improve diagnosis and treatment activities of the WTC Health Program. • Expand knowledge about health effects related to the 9/11 attacks. • Answer key questions about physical and mental health conditions related to the 9/11 attacks. • Apply lessons learned from 9/11 to improve public health response and reduce health impacts in future disasters. • Research should focus primarily on populations directly impacted by the 9/11 attacks. • The program provides high-quality, compassionate medical monitoring and treatment for WTC-related health conditions. • The program funds research regarding certain health conditions related to 9/11 exposures. • The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Priorities. • Funded activities must align with CDC’s core priorities by demonstrating a commitment to gold-standard science, transparency, and evidence-based practices. • The program has no cost-sharing requirement. • The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with the full description and listing of CDC values and priorities. • Reviewers will evaluate how directly the application responds to this NOFO. • Non-federal scientists and senior federal scientists will review and score only responsive applications. • The award will be based on two levels of merit review. • The program expects to fund 36 awards over a three-year period. • The period of performance is two years in 12-month budget periods. • The expected total program funding over the performance period is $18 million. • The expected total program funding per budget period is $6 million. • The expected funding per applicant per budget period is $250,000 (average). • The maximum award amount per budget period is $365,000. • The minimum award amount per budget period is $0. • Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and federally funded research and development centers. • Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. • Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. • Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. • The recipient must adhere to the principles of gold-standard science, transparency, and credibility. • The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to global leadership. • The recipient must ensure rapid, evidence-based responses to crises. • The recipient must prioritize evidence-based programs that reduce homelessness, drug use, and public disorder. • The recipient must support comprehensive services for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorder. • The award will be monitored by CDC. • The recipient must submit financial and performance reports. • The reports must include performance measures, successes, and challenges. • The reports must update the research plan. • The reports must include how CDC could help overcome challenges. • The reports must include the budget for the next 12-month budget period. • The reports must include a complete list of the publications planned or completed to date, including status. • The reports must include a description of any changes made in the use of human subjects or IRB approval status. • The reports must include how data are collected and used (Data Management Plan).