The Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (U01) supports research to improve care and well-being for people exposed to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to identify emerging conditions within affected populations. Administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this cooperative agreement funds scientifically rigorous projects that address physical and mental health conditions related to the 9/11 attacks, improve diagnosis and treatment activities, expand knowledge about health effects, and apply lessons learned to future disaster response.

Overview

This funding opportunity solicits meritorious applications that will strengthen the scientific evidence base used to optimize care for members of the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. Research may focus on identifying emerging health conditions, improving diagnostic methods where uncertainty exists, and advancing treatment approaches. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement between the recipient and the WTC Health Program, with substantial involvement from CDC project scientists.

Funding and Benefits

• Funding type: Cooperative agreement (U01)
• Expected total program funding over the performance period: $16.5 million
• Expected total program funding per budget period: $5.5 million
• Expected funding per applicant per budget period: $550,000
• Maximum award amount per budget period: $550,000
• Minimum award amount per budget period: $0
• Number of awards: 30 over three years (subject to available funds and program priorities)
• Period of performance: Up to three years in 12-month budget periods
• Application types accepted: New and Resubmission

Eligibility

Only the following types of U.S. organizations may apply:

• 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 (must submit documentation demonstrating arrangement with the eligible applicant)

Foreign institutions: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. Applicants may include collaborators or consultants from foreign institutions; all applicable federal laws and policies apply.

Research Areas and Activities

Applications may address a broad range of research categories, including but not limited to:

• Screening research: Evaluate current methods or develop new or improved methods to detect disorders or health conditions
• Diagnostic research: Evaluate or develop methods to identify diseases, disorders, or conditions
• Treatment research: Evaluate or identify improved treatment interventions or develop novel approaches
• Prevention research: Identify or evaluate methods and interventions that prevent or mitigate disease development or recurrence
• Quality of life research: Develop or evaluate methods that improve comfort and quality of life for individuals with chronic illness or multimorbidity
• Omics research: Improve methods for predicting disorders by understanding relationships between genes and illness, including phenotypes and biomarkers
• Epidemiologic or clinical research: Identify patterns, causes, and control of adverse health effects among the 9/11-exposed population
• Health services research: Examine access to care, cost of care, and outcomes associated with care delivery
• Implementation research: Evaluate how research findings are disseminated, adopted, implemented, sustained, and scaled in real-world settings
• Epidemiologic research on emerging conditions: Investigate conditions where preliminary data suggest, but do not confirm, a causal relationship between 9/11 exposure and the condition

Deadline and Timeline

• Application submission deadlines: June 23, 2026; December 8, 2026; and October 26, 2027 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time)
• Optional letter of intent deadlines: May 29, 2026; November 6, 2026; and September 24, 2027
• Expected scientific review dates: July 2026; March 2027; March 2028
• Expected secondary review dates: August 2026; April 2027; April 2028
• Expected award dates: August 2026; June 2027; June 2028
• Expected start dates: September 1, 2026; July 1, 2027; July 1, 2028
• Expiration date: October 27, 2027

Contact Information

• Scientific and research inquiries: James Yiin, PhD — jcy5@cdc.gov, 513-841-4271
• Scientific merit review: Laurel Garrison, MPH — lee5@cdc.gov, 513-533-8324
• Grants management: Sharon Cassell — zpr0@cdc.gov, 770-488-2703
• Grants.gov support: 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov (24/7, closed on federal holidays)
• SAM.gov support: 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk
• eRA Commons Help Desk: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (TTY 301-451-5939), commons@od.nih.gov (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, closed federal holidays)