NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® (U19)

PURPOSE NIOSH intends to support the Centers of Excellence in Total Worker Health® (TWH). These Centers will conduct rigorous research and translation activities to prevent harmful exposures, improve working conditions, and advance worker well-being. The Centers will develop practical, scalable solutions for employers and workers. All projects must use the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ) and share data with the HERO Worker Well-Being Clearinghouse. Large Research Projects require economic evaluation. PRIORITY AREAS • High-risk occupations: First responders, vehicle mechanics, and technicians, with emphasis on occupational exposures, related health risks, and prevention strategies • Young workers, SMEs • Chronic disease • Mental health, stress • Substance use disorder • Artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies This is a multi-component NOFO. COMPONENT STRUCTURE Percentages indicate maximum share of total budget. Overall Component (Required) Provides Center leadership and integration. Applicants should show strong coordination, scientific direction, and alignment across projects. Administration, Evaluation, and Emerging Issues Core (Required; up to 15%) Supports management and Center-wide evaluation. Applicants should describe oversight, data governance, and quality assurance.Optional activities include emerging issues and shared research resources. Outreach, Dissemination, and Impact Core (Required; up to 15%) Supports communication, worker/employer engagement, training, translation, implementation, and dissemination strategies. Research Projects (Required; about 60 to 70%) Includes all research activities. Applicants may propose a mix of projects. Research project distinctions are based on scope and complexity rather than cost. Projects should demonstrate scientific rigor and potential for sustained impact. • Small Research Projects (Required; at least one project; up to 3 years) Exploratory, feasibility, early-stage intervention, surveillance, or measurement studies. Priority areas: high-risk occupations, young workers, SMEs. Should show innovation and potential to expand. • Large Research Projects (Required; at least one project; up to 5 years) Multiyear etiologic, mechanistic, intervention, or translational studies. Priority areas: chronic disease, mental health, substance use disorder. Economic evaluation is required....

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...