NIOSH supports exploratory and developmental research projects (R21) that address issues related to diagnostic or treatment uncertainty with respect to individuals receiving monitoring and/or treatment under subtitle B of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111347, as amended by Public Laws 114113, 11659 and 117-328).To help address the Zadroga Act research mandate, as supported by the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and in consultation with the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee, NIOSH is soliciting applications for scientifically rigorous research (42 U.S.C. 300mm51) among screening-eligible and certified-eligible WTC survivors and similarly exposed populations in New York City in Manhattan between Houston Street and 14th Street and in Brooklyn to help answer critical questions about:Physical and mental health conditions that may be related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;Diagnosing WTC-related health conditions for which there has been diagnostic uncertainty; andTreating WTC-related health conditions for which there has been treatment uncertainty.A major area of research interest of this announcement also includes improving the healthcare and well-being of at-risk survivor populations including minority groups, women exposed while pregnant or of reproductive age, the elderly, adolescents, and other minor children. Research funded by the WTC Health Program is primarily intended for the benefit of the 9/11-exposed population. It is not required that project findings be generalizable to other populations.Screening-eligible and certified-eligible WTC survivors (adults and children) include individuals who lived, worked, went to school, or attended child or adult day care in the New York City (NYC) Disaster Area, as defined in 42 CFR 88.1, on September 11, 2001, or in the following days, weeks, or months and those otherwise meeting the eligibility criteria in 42 CFR 88.7 or 88.8.In addition to screening-eligible and certified-eligible WTC survivors, proposed research can include sampled populations outside the NYC disaster area in Manhattan as far north as 14th Street and in Brooklyn, along with control populations, to identify potential for long-term adverse health effects in less exposed populations.The NIOSH/WTC Health Program R21 grant is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of project development which assess the feasibility of new areas of investigation with the potential to enhance treatment effectiveness and diagnostic practices. These studies may lead to breakthroughs in a particular area, or to the development of new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or approaches with major clinical impacts. These studies are expected to break new ground or extend prior discoveries toward new directions or uses. Applicants are expected to propose research approaches for which there is likely to be minimal or no preliminary data.The WTC Health Program Research webpage provides comprehensive information and tools for researchers. The research agenda, publication library, and other resources, including the Funding Dashboard, can also be found there (e.g., awarded project details such as publications, topics, populations, funding awarded, and the principal investigators and their institutions).
