The NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13) funding opportunity, issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to support high-quality conferences, workshops, and meetings that focus on occupational safety and health (OSH). These events should address critical research priorities in line with NIOSH’s mission and program goals. Applications must contribute to advancing knowledge and practices to reduce workplace hazards and prevent occupational illnesses and injuries. The FOA supports gatherings where experts discuss, disseminate, and exchange information pertinent to NIOSH programs and the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

Funding for this opportunity is anticipated to be up to $500,000 over five years, with awards of up to $20,000 per individual conference. Applicants may request support for one or more conferences across a project period of one to three years. A key requirement is that at least one conference or meeting must be convened annually during the grant period, and the focus should be aligned with NIOSH’s strategic and intermediate goals. These goals include reducing occupational illnesses and injuries related to hazards such as cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, and traumatic injuries. The program encourages novel approaches that bridge research and practice, improving workplace safety and health.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), non-profits, for-profits, and government organizations within the United States. However, international institutions and foreign collaborators are not eligible for this opportunity. Special emphasis is placed on diversity and inclusion, encouraging participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, and other minority-serving institutions. Collaborative efforts with interdisciplinary teams are also encouraged to maximize the impact of the proposed meetings.

Applications are evaluated based on their relevance to NIOSH’s strategic goals, the significance of the proposed topics, the innovation in approach, and the qualifications of the organizing team. The proposal must also include detailed plans for dissemination of the outcomes, such as publications or conference proceedings. Additionally, the application should address how the conference aligns with the research-to-practice (r2p) initiative, aiming to translate research findings into practical interventions that can be adopted in workplace settings to improve safety and health outcomes.

Submission deadlines follow standard dates, and applicants must submit a letter of intent 30 days before the chosen due date. The earliest start date for funded projects is expected to be in mid-2022, with the expiration date for submissions set at December 15, 2025. Importantly, no indirect costs (facilities and administrative costs) are allowed, and pre-award costs are subject to HHS approval.

To apply, applicants must follow the detailed instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. This includes submitting through NIH’s ASSIST system or Grants.gov Workspace and ensuring compliance with all required federal registrations (e.g., SAM, eRA Commons). Applications that do not conform to submission guidelines will not be accepted. The evaluation process includes peer review based on scientific merit, with a focus on how well the proposed conference addresses current OSH challenges and its potential for impact.