Occupational Safety and Health Program

To (1) recognize new hazards; (2) define the magnitude of the problem; (3) follow trends in incidence; (4) target exceptional hazardous workplaces for intervention; and (5) evaluate the effectiveness of prevention efforts. The goal of this program is

This listing funds a diverse portfolio of extramural research and training programs to prevent work-related injury and illness.

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 and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations, other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; federally funded Research and Development Centers; faith-based or community based organizations; regional organizations; bona fide agents applying on behalf of state, territorial, local, and tribal government organizations. Training Grants: Any public or private educational institution or agency that has demonstrated competency in occupational safety and health training at the technical, professional, or graduate level may apply. Trainees must be admissible to the grantee institution and must be enrolled in occupational safety and health training programs. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees). For SBIR grants primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions.

Research institutions and agencies, as well as workers affected by occupational hazards.

Research grants and cooperative agreements are intended to support the direct costs of a project, in accordance with an approved budget, plus an appropriate amount for indirect costs. Training grants: Funds may be used for long term training programs and/or education and research centers. Support is provided for the direct costs of the program, plus certain indirect costs determined by Public Health Service policy on training programs. Amounts of stipends and other details are in accordance with Public Health Service policy. SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6-months duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process. Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I and that are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II support.

Research and Training Grants and Cooperative Agreements may be awarded for project periods ranging from one to five years depending on the recommendations of the scientific review group and the Secondary Review Committee, and on demonstration of successful performance and the availability of funds. SBIR Grants: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years.

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to stated program objectives. Training Grants: Criteria used in evaluating training proposals include: (1) Overall potential contribution of the project toward meeting program objectives; (2) the need for training in the areas outlined in the application; (3) curriculum content and design; (4) previous record of training; (5) evaluation methods; (6) experience and training of the project director and staff; (7) institutional commitment; (8) academic and physical environment; (9) past performance; and (10) appropriateness of budget. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (8) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.

Awards are made on the basis of a two-step review of an investigator-prepared application. Applications are initially reviewed for scientific and technical merit by a scientific peer review group. The second level of review is performed by the NIOSH Secondary Review Committee for program relevance. Final approval of funding recommendations is made by the Director, NIOSH.

Research Grants and Awards: 7-9 months. Training Grants: 9-10 months. SBIR: 7-8 months.

Support is recommended for a specified project period, usually not in excess of 5 years. Prior to the end of a project period, the grantee may apply for renewal of support for a new project period. Applications for renewal (competing continuation, Type 2) will be reviewed in the same manner as a new application and will compete for available funds with other applications.