Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32)

This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks postdoctoral fellows to conduct research using the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohort data. Fellows will analyze large, de‑identified longitudinal datasets (≈71,000 participants) housed in the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) to investigate high‑priority pediatric outcomes such as prenatal/early life exposures, airway disease, obesity, neurodevelopment, and positive health. Up to eight individual NRSA (F32) fellowships will be awarded, each providing a stipend and training support to advance early‑career investigators in environmental health research. Applicants must be affiliated with eligible U.S. institutions and propose a project that leverages ECHO data to address one of the specified outcome areas. • Eligible applicants: postdoctoral researchers at U.S. public, private, nonprofit, or for‑profit institutions (excluding foreign entities). • Funding: total estimated $1.26 million for 8 awards (≈$150k per fellowship). • Award period: up to 2 years of post‑doctoral support, with a service payback obligation for the first 12 months. • Submission window: Nov 02 2026 – Dec 02 2026 via NIH eRA Commons/ASSIST. • Required components: research plan, data‑use plan (ECHO), training plan, and compliance with NIH policies. • Evaluation: peer review by the Center for Scientific Review; selection based on scientific merit, relevance to ECHO priorities, and training potential.