Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36)

Key Dates

October 29, 2024 - Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32). See Notice NOT-OD-25-006.

Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health (OD)

All applications to this funding opportunity announcement should fall within the mission of the Institutes/Centers. The following NIH Offices may co-fund applications assigned to those Institutes/Centers.

Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program (ECHO) intends to promote an ongoing initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for support of doctoral candidates studying high-priority areas of maternal and child health in the completion of their doctoral dissertation research. This NOFO seeks to advance research in maternal and child health by stimulating the use of ECHO Cohort data by doctoral students in relevant scientific areas. This RFA will provide opportunities for dissertation students to study early environmental exposures and child health outcomes through the analysis of ECHO’s large longitudinal data set within the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. ECHO’s DASH dataset integrates de-identified longitudinal data from more than 63,000 maternal and child participants across the U.S. The data include prenatal and child environmental exposures of many kinds, and five primary pediatric outcome areas listed below. This award will facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of early environmental exposures and child health research, enhancing the pool of highly talented researchers.  Any doctoral candidate studying in the high-priority areas identified is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019  see also, Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031).

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The NOFO is expected to be published in winter 2024 with an expected application due date in spring 2025. This NOFO will utilize the R36 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

This Notice encourages doctoral students studying maternal and child health to consider applying for this NOFO. Among the many scientific areas encouraged in this initiative are research on a broad range of early-life exposures including physical, chemical, social, behavioral, and biological factors among others, and five primary pediatric outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal health, upper and lower airway health, obesity, neurodevelopment, and positive health.

Funding Information

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization (Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Clay Mash, PhD
Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program 
Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health
Telephone: 240-539-1946
Email: clay.mash@nih.gov