Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a funding opportunity titled "Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional)" under the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This program, reissued under RFA-ES-24-004, is designed to provide long-term, flexible funding to support outstanding investigators in the field of environmental health sciences. The RIVER program's goal is to shift the focus from traditional project-based research funding to investing in researchers with a proven track record of innovation and the potential for sustained, impactful research.

The RIVER program allows researchers freedom from traditional, narrowly focused specific aims, enabling them to pursue novel research directions as they arise over time. This flexibility is intended to promote creative and ambitious research strategies. Investigators are expected to consolidate their existing NIEHS-funded projects into a single award, dedicating a minimum of 50% effort to their research throughout the award period. The program also emphasizes the investigator’s ability to focus on mentoring and scientific service while minimizing time spent on administrative duties like managing multiple grants.

Eligible applicants include individuals with a single-PD/PI NIEHS-supported R01-equivalent grant, active for at least four years. Institutions eligible to apply include public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and various state, local, and tribal governments. However, foreign organizations and multi-PD/PI applications are not allowed. The award aims to support the majority of the researcher’s independent research program.

NIEHS intends to commit $4 million in fiscal year 2026 to fund 4-5 awards. The application budget is limited to $600,000 in direct costs per year, with a possibility to increase up to $750,000 for researchers consolidating multiple existing projects. The maximum project period is 8 years. Application submission begins on October 1, 2024, with a due date of November 1, 2024.

This funding opportunity allows applications that either propose or do not propose clinical trials. Applicants are encouraged to contact program officials for guidance on eligibility, current funding, and consolidation. The program also requires robust plans for mentoring and promoting diversity and inclusion in environmental health sciences. Applicants are expected to articulate a clear and transformative vision for their future research, demonstrating how the flexible RIVER funding would enable significant advancements in their field.