The Exploratory/Developmental Grants Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (R21) supports early-stage and conceptual research projects that aim to provide scientific evidence to optimize care and improve well-being for populations exposed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This funding opportunity is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under opportunity number RFA-OH-26-015.

Overview

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program seeks strong research proposals that address diagnostic or treatment uncertainty among individuals receiving monitoring or treatment under Subtitle C of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, as amended. This R21 mechanism encourages exploratory and developmental research by supporting the early and conceptual stages of project development. Projects are expected to assess the feasibility of new areas of investigation with the potential to improve treatment effectiveness and diagnostic practices. Studies may lead to breakthroughs in a particular area or to the development of new interventions, techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or approaches with potential clinical impact. Applicants are expected to propose research for which there is likely to be minimal or no preliminary data.

Funding and Benefits

• Funding type: Grant
• Expected total program funding over the performance period: $18 million
• Expected total program funding per budget period: $6 million
• Expected funding per applicant per budget period: $250,000 (average)
• Maximum award amount per budget period: $365,000
• Minimum award amount per budget period: $0
• Expected number of awards: 36 over a three-year period (12 per year)
• Period of performance: Two 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 are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) 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.

Deadline and Timeline

• Application submission deadlines: June 23, 2026; December 8, 2026; October 26, 2027 (all by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time)
• Optional letter of intent deadline: May 29, 2026; November 6, 2026; 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

Application Process

Applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration (including a Unique Entity Identifier) and an active Grants.gov registration. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks; Grants.gov registration can take several days. Applications must not exceed $365,000 in total costs in any single year and $500,000 in total costs across the two-year period of performance. The Research Strategy component of the Research Plan section must not exceed six pages. Applications that exceed these limits or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Non-federal scientists and senior federal scientists will review and score only responsive applications. Awards will be made to applications with the strongest merit based on two levels of merit review.

Contact Information

• Scientific and research questions: 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 support, 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 on federal holidays)