August 16, 2023
- August 7, 2020 - Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (U01). See NOFO PAR-20-280.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
The updated requirements, guidance, instructions, and other information for PAR-20-280 are effective with the publication date of this notice.
Length of the Award Project Period
Applications are now limited to a maximum project period of two years and up to $350K per year in total cost (direct and indirect costs; including consortium F&A costs) for 2023 due date/FY2024 funding consideration.
| Type of Project | Project Period | Total Cost per Year |
| Short-Term | Up to two years | Up to $350K |
The Research Strategy component of the Research Plan is limited to 8 pages. These page limits are the totals for all text, tables, graphs, figures, diagrams, and charts in this component.
Applicants must use FORMS-H application packages for due dates on or after January 25, 2023. Application guides for FORMS-H application packages are posted to the How to Apply - Application Guide page.
Research funded by the WTC Health Program is primarily intended for the benefit of the 9/11-exposed population. It is not required that project findings be generalizable to other populations.
Research conducted under the Zadroga Act includes epidemiologic and other research studies on WTC-related health conditions or emerging conditions among (1) WTC responders, screening-eligible WTC survivors, and certified-eligible WTC survivors under treatment and individuals who were exposed within a geographic area related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a manner similar to the exposure within such geographic area experienced by individuals meeting the eligibility criteria under section 3311(a)(2) or 3321(a)(1)(B); and (2) sampled populations outside the New York City disaster area in Manhattan as far north as 14th Street and in Brooklyn, along with control populations, to identify potential for long-term adverse health effects in less exposed populations.
Health Equity: Proposed projects should include discussions describing how research questions, data collection methods and analysis, and dissemination of results will be inclusive of the diversity in the WTC populations, especially those from historically underrepresented groups including women, minorities, foreign-born individuals, and individuals of all ages, including appropriate representation of older adults and individuals exposed to the WTC disaster prior to 18 years of age.
Applications should clearly state:
- how the design, content, format and dissemination of outreach efforts will be tailored to the needs of WTC populations from diverse backgrounds;
- how cultural competence of research and linguistically appropriate dissemination of findings and solutions will be ensured; and
- how historically underrepresented groups can be included in research projects, e.g., though participation on advisory boards, as researchers/staff, and though partnerships.
The WTC Health Program Research webpage provides comprehensive information and tools for researchers. The research agenda, publication library, and other resources, including the Funding Dashboard, can also be found there (e.g., awarded project details such as publications, topics, populations, funding awarded, and the principal investigators and their institutions).
Data Center and WTC Health Registry Contact Updates
Fire Department of New York
Medical Director – Dr. David Prezant, 718-999-2696, David.Prezant@fdny.nyc.gov
Administrative Director – Ms. Jessica Weakley, 718-999-0412, Jessica.Weakley@fdny.nyc.gov
Associate Director, WTC FDNY Data Center – Dr. Rachel Zeig-Owens, 718-403-4416, Rachel.Zeig-Owens@fdny.nyc.gov
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Director – Dr. Andrew C. Todd, 212-824-7053, Andrew.Todd@mssm.edu
Data Requests – Mr. Christopher R. Dasaro, 332-323-2806, Christopher.Dasaro@mssm.edu
NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation
Medical Director – Dr. Joan Reibman, 212-263-6479, Joan.Reibman@nychhc.org
Executive Director – Mr. Scott VanOrden, 646-458-2711, Scott.VanOrden@nychhc.org
Data Center Director – Ms. Michelle Hyde, 212-788-0949, Michelle.Hyde@nychhc.org
WTC Health Registry
Public Affairs Manager – Paul Gambino, 718-786-4481, pgambino1@health.nyc.gov
Note to Applicants
You must specify the WTC Subpopulation(s) under study, which can be FDNY responders, general responders, survivors, or a combination of these populations. If you propose to study a combination of these populations, you must clearly state the percentages of each population.
You must also include the primary diseases or conditions (e.g., respiratory disease, adult mental health, cancer, children’s research or emerging conditions) that you propose to study, with a brief description of the diseases or conditions.
The WTC Subpopulation(s) under study and Primary Diseases/Conditions must be included as one attachment titled "Study Information" in the "12. Other Attachments" section of the "R&R Other Project Information" component of the application. Please note there are other requirements specific to this announcement that must be included in this section of your application: Project Dissemination Plan and Project Evaluation Plan (see Section V, Additional Review Considerations for information), as well as CDC Risk Questionnaire with supporting documentation and Duplication of Efforts (see Section IV, Other Submission Requirements and Information for instructions).
Applicants who plan to collect public health data must submit a Data Management Plan (DMP) in the Resource Sharing Plan section of the PHS 398 Research Plan Component of the application. A DMP is required for each collection of public health data proposed. CDC OMB-approved templates may be used (e.g., NCCDPHP template). See Section IV, Content and Form of Application Submission and Section V, Additional Review Considerations for information.
PHS 398 Research Plan
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions. The SF424 (R&R) Application Guide includes instructions for applicants to complete a PHS 398 Research Plan that consists of components. Not all components of the Research Plan apply to all NOFOs. Specifically, some of the following components are for Resubmissions or Revisions only. See the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide at How to Apply - Application Guide for additional information.
Follow the page limits stated in the SF 424 unless otherwise specified in the NOFO. As applicable to and specified in the NOFO, the application should include the bolded headers in this section and should address activities to be conducted over the course of the entire project, including but not limited to:
Introduction
1.Introduction to Application (for Resubmission and Revision applications ONLY) - provide a clear description about the purpose of the proposed research and how it addresses the specific requirements of the NOFO.
Research Plan Section
2. Specific Aims – state the problem the proposed research addresses and how it will result in public health impact and improvements in population health.
3. Research Strategy – the research strategy should be organized under 3 headings: Significance, Innovation and Approach. Describe the proposed research plan, including staffing and timeline.
4. Progress Report Publication List (for Renewal applications ONLY)
Other Research Plan Section
5. Vertebrate Animals
6. Select Agent Research
7. Multiple PD/PI Leadership Plan
8. Consortium/Contractual Arrangements
9. Letters of Support
10. Resource Sharing Plan(s) - CDC's Data Management Plan (DMP) policy applies to this NOFO. See Section V, Additional Review Considerations and Note to Applicants for information.
11. Other Plan(s) - NIH's Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan policy is not applicable to this NOFO. Follow the DMP instructions in this NOFO instead.
12. Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources
Appendix
13. Appendix
Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Do not use the appendix to circumvent page limits. A maximum of 10 PDF documents is allowed in the appendix. Additionally, up to 3 publications may be included that are not publicly available. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.
Statutory Authority
The World Trade Center Health Program is authorized under Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 241) and the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–347, as amended by Public Laws 114–113, 116–59 and 117-328); codified in Title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act at 42 U.S.C. 300mm – 300mm–62.
James Yiin, PhD
Scientific Program Official
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Telephone: 513-841-4271
Email: JYiin@cdc.gov
and Human Services (HHS)
