Limited Competition: Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) (UE5/T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The goal of the Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) initiative is to extend the institutional, geographical, and research reach of NIEHS training. This initiative proposes to launch new and innovative environmental health training programs for research-focused predoctoral trainees at institutions that have not had a funded NIEHS T32 during the preceding five years. Training programs must be responsive to the mission of NIEHS, which is to support research on how the environment affects biological systems across the lifespan, and to translate this knowledge to reduce disease and promote human health. NIEHS will provide support for a two-phased award to eligible institutions to develop (UE5) and implement (T32) training programs specifically oriented to the research interests of NIEHS. This is a Forecast for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Eligibility Section for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.

As SPARK-EHS is intended to launch new environmental health training programs it will focus on predoctoral trainees at institutions that have not had a funded NIEHS T32 during the preceding five years. Institutions that held a NIEHS-funded T32 more than five years ago are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any current trainees who were funded by the prior T32 award.To ensure a foundational research base and familiarity with NIEHS mission-relevant research and training, the training director or one of the multiple PIs must have at least one actively funded R01-equivalent research award from NIEHS. Applications which include multiple institutions with a proposed common training program are encouraged; however, each participating institution must have at least one active NIEHS R01-equivalent award.

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. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR 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...