The NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (U13), issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), aims to fund high-quality conferences, meetings, and workshops that focus on occupational safety and health (OSH). This grant seeks to promote the advancement of NIOSH’s mission by fostering dialogue, coordination, and dissemination of research related to reducing occupational hazards. Conferences funded under this program should align with NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) and address significant OSH issues across various industries.

The grant will support gatherings such as symposia, workshops, or formal meetings, whether held in-person or virtually. These events should directly contribute to NIOSH's strategic goals, which include reducing occupational diseases, preventing workplace injuries, and improving worker safety. The conferences should serve as platforms for the exchange of innovative ideas and new research methods related to worker health and safety. Applicants are expected to target key NORA sectors and cross-sectors that align with pressing public health concerns, like occupational cancer, respiratory diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders.

NIOSH anticipates awarding up to four grants per year, with each award not exceeding $30,000 annually. In special cases, with prior approval, applicants may request up to $75,000. The funding is primarily intended to cover meeting-related costs, such as venue fees, speaker expenses, and administrative support. However, no indirect costs will be provided. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and regional organizations, but only U.S.-based entities are allowed to apply. Applications for multi-year projects (up to three years) are permissible if they plan recurring annual conferences.

Applicants must adhere to standard CDC application guidelines and complete the submission process through Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system. Letters of intent should be submitted 30 days prior to the application deadline, and final applications must comply with detailed instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Proposed meetings must align with NIOSH's strategic goals and emphasize collaboration and innovation in addressing workplace safety challenges. NIOSH encourages proposals that also consider Research to Practice (r2p) approaches, which aim to translate research findings into effective safety practices.

The next submission window for applications is aligned with standard CDC deadlines, with specific dates available on the NIOSH website. The grant application process includes a merit review, advisory council review, and final administrative review by NIOSH, with award decisions based on the proposal’s relevance to NIOSH's priorities and the availability of funds. For assistance, applicants can contact NIOSH scientific and financial management contacts listed in the announcement.

The announcement expires on December 15, 2025, and is part of NIOSH's continued commitment to enhancing occupational health and safety by supporting scientific dialogue and innovation through conferences and meetings.