NIEHS Research Intensive Short Courses and Educational Opportunities (NIEHS RISE) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA ES 20 015

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 20 015

The NIEHS Research Intensive Short Courses and Educational Opportunities (NIEHS RISE) funding opportunity (RFA-ES-20-015) is a National Institutes of Health grant mechanism designed to support short-term, research-focused education programs that strengthen the environmental health research workforce. Issued by the Department of Health and Human Services through NIH, this initiative uses the R25 research education grant mechanism and is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants should not propose studies that meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial. Instead, the focus is on education and training activities that build practical research competencies relevant to environmental health science.

At its core, the program aims to develop and deliver intensive short courses that help participants gain the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to conduct environmental health research. The expectation is that courses will go beyond lecture-only formats and include meaningful, research-relevant practical components, such as workshops, guided data analysis, demonstrations of laboratory or field methods, computational training, or other applied learning experiences tied directly to environmental health topics. While in-person instruction is welcomed, the solicitation also encourages applicants to incorporate innovative educational models, including project-based learning approaches and virtual or hybrid instruction, which can broaden reach and allow flexible participation while still maintaining rigor and interactivity.

This is a discretionary grant opportunity in the Environment and Health activity area (CFDA 93.113). The listed award ceiling is $200,000, and the opportunity anticipated approximately three awards. The funding opportunity was originally created on July 20, 2020, with an original closing date of November 28, 2022, indicating it was time-limited as posted, though similar opportunities may recur under new announcements.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations that can credibly design and run high-quality research education programs. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as allowed under the additional eligibility language in the announcement. This breadth signals that NIEHS is open to proposals from universities, research centers, professional societies, training organizations, and other groups capable of delivering specialized, high-impact short courses.

In practical terms, a competitive NIEHS RISE application would be expected to present a clear educational need in environmental health research, define specific learning objectives tied to research skills, and describe an intensive course structure that provides participants with concrete, usable capabilities. Strong proposals would typically explain who the course is for, what content will be covered, how hands-on training will be delivered, and how the course will be evaluated for effectiveness. The emphasis on innovative delivery models suggests that applicants can propose modern training formats, such as virtual modules paired with live interactive sessions, collaborative team projects, or capstone-style applied exercises that mimic real environmental health research workflows, as long as the core purpose remains research education rather than conducting clinical trials.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIEHS Research Intensive Short Courses and Educational Opportunities (NIEHS RISE) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 20, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 28, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RFA ES 20 015

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