The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, is forecasted to release a funding opportunity under the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) mechanism. This opportunity is designed to support postdoctoral fellows in conducting advanced research that utilizes the ECHO Cohort data to investigate the influence of early environmental exposures on child health outcomes. The initiative aligns with NIH's broader goals to cultivate a highly skilled biomedical research workforce and advance the scientific understanding of environmental impacts on pediatric health.
The ECHO Program has compiled a significant longitudinal dataset, hosted within the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH), encompassing de-identified data from over 71,000 maternal and child participants across the United States. These data span various prenatal and childhood environmental exposures and are categorized into five primary pediatric outcomes: pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes; airway conditions; obesity and related issues; neurodevelopmental outcomes; and positive health indicators. Postdoctoral fellows selected for this opportunity will utilize these comprehensive datasets to conduct high-priority research within these specified domains.
This forecasted grant aims to facilitate the training and professional development of early-career researchers by embedding them within impactful scientific endeavors related to child health. Applicants are expected to develop proposals in collaboration with their host institutions, leveraging the rich ECHO dataset for novel analyses and hypothesis testing that contribute meaningfully to the field of pediatric environmental health.
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary with an anticipated total program funding of $1,260,000 and expects to fund approximately eight awards. It does not require cost sharing or matching contributions. The grant is listed under the Assistance Listing Number 93.310 for Trans-NIH Research Support, and falls within the Health funding activity category.
Eligible applicants span a wide array of organizations including state governments, local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, Native American tribal organizations, and both small and other for-profit businesses. Applications must originate from these entities and are expected to propose work conducted by postdoctoral fellows.
The estimated post date for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is October 20, 2025, with applications due by March 17, 2026. Award decisions are expected by October 5, 2026, which is also the projected project start date. For further information, interested parties can contact Dr. Clayton Mash at the NIH Office of the Director via phone at 301-655-3272 or email at clay.mash@nih.gov.
