The Occupational Safety and Health Research (R01) funding opportunity, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), aims to support research that advances knowledge and practices in occupational safety and health. The R01 grant mechanism funds investigator-initiated projects that address NIOSH’s strategic and intermediate goals, aligned with the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The purpose is to identify and mitigate workplace hazards, reduce occupational illnesses and injuries, and improve worker safety. Proposed research must demonstrate how it will address the burden of occupational hazards, close existing knowledge gaps, and contribute to measurable impacts on worker health and safety.

The program focuses on several key objectives, such as identifying relationships between hazardous working conditions and occupational illnesses or injuries, developing improved methods for evaluating workplace hazards, and creating new protective technologies, work practices, and safety interventions. Projects are encouraged to address cross-sector health concerns such as reducing occupational cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory disease, and traumatic injuries while supporting innovative and practical solutions that align with NIOSH’s mission. Applicants are expected to link the research to planned outputs, demonstrate potential impacts, and address the “Burden, Need, and Impact” (BNI) framework to justify their projects.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (public, private, and minority-serving), nonprofits, small businesses, for-profit organizations, government entities (federal, state, local, tribal), school districts, housing authorities, and community-based organizations. Non-U.S. institutions are ineligible, but U.S.-based organizations may collaborate with foreign entities as consultants or subcontractors. Investigators must align their proposals with NIOSH’s strategic goals and intermediate objectives, as detailed in the NIOSH Strategic Plan and NORA framework.

The funding opportunity allows a budget of up to $400,000 in direct costs per year for a maximum of four years, with an overall cap of $1.6 million. Approximately 5-10 awards are expected annually, depending on the availability of funds, with a total estimated funding of $2 million per year. Applications must follow the Research (R) Instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, including a detailed Research Strategy, justification of significance, and outputs or outcomes. Proposals must clearly address occupational health burdens, describe how the research advances prevention practices, and outline how findings will translate into workplace interventions or policies.

Applicants must submit proposals electronically through Grants.gov, using systems such as NIH ASSIST or institutional S2S platforms. Required registrations include SAM, DUNS, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, and must be completed before submission. Applications exceeding the funding or duration limits will be deemed nonresponsive. CDC/NIOSH will not accept duplicate or overlapping submissions.

Applications will undergo a peer review process evaluating criteria such as significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and environment. Projects must demonstrate the likelihood of success in addressing workplace health risks, stakeholder needs, and the potential for widespread dissemination and adoption of findings. Successful applicants will receive formal Notices of Award, and progress will be tracked through annual performance reports, financial statements, and updates on project outcomes.

This funding opportunity remains open for applications until November 21, 2025, with standard NIH receipt dates applicable for submissions. For further assistance, applicants may contact NIOSH program staff, grants management officials, or technical support resources detailed in the FOA.