Exploratory/Developmental Grants Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (R21)

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program supports exploratory and developmental research projects (R21) that address issues related to diagnostic or treatment uncertainty among individuals receiving monitoring and/or treatment under Subtitle C of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, as amended. This R21 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by supporting the early and conceptual stages of project development to assess the feasibility of new areas of investigation with the potential to improve treatment effectiveness and diagnostic practices. These 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. They are expected to break new ground or extend prior discoveries in new directions or applications. Applicants are expected to propose research for which there is likely to be minimal or no preliminary data.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) 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 HHS Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

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...