The Role of Work in Health Disparities in the U.S. funding opportunity, issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports innovative population-based research on how work and occupation contribute to health outcomes and health disparities, with an emphasis on underserved populations. The program seeks to investigate the mechanisms by which work, as a social determinant of health (SDOH), impacts health and health care disparities among minority populations, those with lower socioeconomic status, underserved rural communities, individuals with disabilities, and sexual and gender minorities. The participating organizations include the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and five additional NIH components such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Projects may include observational studies, experimental designs, primary data collection, and secondary data analysis.

The primary objective of this initiative is to identify modifiable mechanisms by which work contributes to health disparities, including occupational segregation, workplace discrimination, precarious employment, and job-related exposures and resources. Specific research areas of interest include exploring the health effects of job strain, unemployment, access to benefits, structural racism, and intersectional factors like race, socioeconomic status, and disability. Projects are encouraged to use conceptual models grounded in minority health and disparities theories, integrate Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) measures, and consider the intergenerational and household-level effects of work on health. The program also highlights the importance of community partnerships in the research process to enhance applicability and impact.

The funding opportunity accepts new, renewal, resubmission, and revision applications and supports both clinical trials and non-clinical research. There is no set budget cap, but proposals must justify the requested amount. The project period can extend up to five years. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, for-profit organizations, local governments, and others. Foreign organizations are not eligible, and projects must focus on populations within the U.S. Applicants should register in relevant systems such as SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov before submission.

Applications will be reviewed based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, investigator expertise, and institutional resources. Additional review criteria include human subjects protections, data management and sharing plans, and budget appropriateness. Proposals must clearly articulate their conceptual framework and address the pathways through which work contributes to health disparities, using robust methodologies. Projects that do not focus on health disparity populations or lack a theoretical model are considered non-responsive.

Key dates include an open submission window starting January 5, 2025, with standard NIH due dates for new and resubmission applications running until January 8, 2028. Applications must comply with NIH application guides and are submitted electronically through systems like ASSIST or Grants.gov. Pre-award costs may be allowable, and just-in-time documentation will be required if the project is considered for funding. For applications with $500,000 or more in annual direct costs, advance consultation with NIH staff is mandatory.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact program officers for guidance on scientific and submission questions. Details on the funding opportunity, including scientific contacts, review policies, and required forms, are available through the NIH Grants Policy Statement and the funding announcement itself. This initiative represents a significant opportunity to advance understanding of how work shapes health disparities and to inform interventions aimed at promoting health equity across diverse populations in the United States.