Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 210

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 210

Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PAR 22-210) that supports community-engaged research focused on environmental contaminants that a specific community identifies as a concern. The central idea is to move from studying a problem to taking practical steps that reduce exposure and protect health. Applicants are expected not only to investigate potential health risks linked to environmental exposures in a real-world community context, but also to translate the results into an environmental public health action plan that the community can use.

The opportunity emphasizes community-engaged research methods, meaning the community is not treated as a passive subject of study. Instead, community members, local leaders, and relevant organizations are typically involved in shaping the research questions, helping guide study design, interpreting findings, and deciding what actions make sense locally. The goal is to ensure the work addresses exposures the community actually worries about and produces outcomes that are usable, culturally appropriate, and more likely to be implemented. While the announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," it allows applications that do or do not involve a clinical trial component, as long as the project fits the FOA and meets NIH requirements for the chosen study design.

From a program purpose standpoint, the NIH is looking for projects that connect environmental exposure science with public health impact. That can include assessing exposure pathways, characterizing contaminant levels in relevant media (for example, air, water, soil, dust, food, or consumer products), evaluating potential links to health risks, and then using that evidence to guide prevention or risk-reduction strategies. The action plan component is a defining feature: the research is intended to produce findings that inform concrete steps a community can take, such as targeted interventions, improved risk communication, partnerships with local public health agencies, or changes in practices that reduce harmful exposures.

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of U.S.-based entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities. Colleges and universities are eligible, including public or state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and specialized designations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, as well as Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI). Federally recognized Native American tribal governments may apply, along with Native American tribal organizations and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, and both for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also eligible. The FOA also notes other eligible applicants such as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity places strict limits on foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In practical terms, the applicant organization and the project activities must remain within allowable domestic boundaries under NIH policy for this FOA.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant mechanism under the NIH in the environment and health activity area, with CFDA numbers 93.113 and 93.307. The original closing date listed is 2025-09-07. The posted source information does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically rely on the full FOA details and NIH budget guidance for the R01 mechanism when planning scope and costs.

Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at teams that can combine strong environmental health science with genuine community partnership and a clear plan for translating findings into action. The strongest projects are generally those that can demonstrate meaningful engagement, a credible approach to assessing exposures and potential health impacts, and a realistic, community-informed pathway for reducing exposures and improving health outcomes based on what the research uncovers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.307.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-07-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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