The **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)**, through the **National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)**, is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), **PAR-18-812**. The grant program supports **Occupational Safety and Health Research** through the **R01 Research Project Grant** mechanism. The primary purpose of this program is to develop an understanding of occupational disease and injury risks, explore methods for reducing these risks, and translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries. The research must address occupational health burdens and link proposed activities to outputs that will alleviate those burdens, emphasizing long-term impacts.

This funding opportunity aligns with NIOSH’s mission to generate and translate new knowledge into workplace practices, focusing on strategic goals outlined under the **National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)**. Research objectives include identifying hazardous workplace conditions, developing protective measures and early health effect markers, and assessing new or improved safety interventions. Applications must clearly demonstrate how they align with NIOSH strategic goals, such as reducing occupational chronic diseases, respiratory illnesses, musculoskeletal disorders, and traumatic injuries. Applicants are also encouraged to incorporate innovative approaches that address emerging health and safety issues and contribute to the NIOSH **Research to Practice (r2p)** initiative, which promotes the adoption of research findings into workplace practices.

The **total estimated funding** available for new awards is **$2 million per year**, with approximately **5 to 10 awards anticipated annually**. The maximum award amount is **$400,000 in direct costs per year**, not to exceed **$1.6 million over a 4-year project period**. Applications must propose a project period of up to **4 years**. The availability of funds and the number of awards issued will depend on the quality and number of applications received, as well as annual budget appropriations.

Eligible applicants include **public and private higher education institutions**, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, small businesses, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and other qualified entities. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, although U.S. organizations may include foreign collaborators. Applicants may submit multiple applications as long as each is scientifically distinct. Applications must be submitted electronically through **Grants.gov** and **NIH eRA Commons**.

The application must comply with the instructions in the **SF424 (R&R) Application Guide**, including the submission of a **Data Management Plan (DMP)** and addressing **Research to Practice (r2p)** outputs and outcomes. Proposals must specify which NORA sectors and strategic goals they address, justify the burden, need, and potential impact of their research, and outline expected deliverables such as publications, tools, or interventions. Applications that exceed funding or performance period limits will be deemed nonresponsive.

The **evaluation criteria** include the significance, innovation, approach, investigator expertise, and research environment of the proposal. Applications will be scored on their potential to address occupational health burdens and the likelihood of achieving meaningful impacts. Key review factors include scientific merit, alignment with NIOSH strategic goals, and the capacity for dissemination and adoption of findings into workplace practices.

The standard application due dates apply, with the earliest start date for awards projected as **March 2019**. The FOA expires on **November 21, 2025**. For further information, applicants may contact NIOSH scientific, financial, or peer review representatives listed in the announcement. Applicants must complete required registrations (DUNS, SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons) well in advance of submission deadlines.