The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has forecasted a grant opportunity titled "NIEHS Worker Training Program’s SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response." This opportunity aligns with the NIEHS's mission to improve worker health and safety through innovative training approaches. This program builds on legislative authority from the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Section 126(g), which empowers NIEHS to manage training initiatives for hazardous materials and emergency response workers.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will solicit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications from small business concerns (SBCs) for the development of technology-enhanced training products. These products are intended to advance the health and safety training of workers involved with hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and emergency response. The technologies supported include, but are not limited to, online modules, mobile apps, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and serious gaming applications that support, enhance, and supplement traditional training methods.
The core objective is to prevent occupational harm by training individuals to protect themselves and their communities from hazardous exposures. This grant targets training for HAZMAT workers, waste treatment personnel, skilled support personnel, emergency responders handling biological hazards or medical waste, and individuals involved in disaster response and worker resiliency training. All training products developed must align with the goals and objectives of the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP).
The total anticipated funding available for this opportunity is approximately $688,000. The funding will support an estimated six awards, though the final number may vary based on application merit and availability of funds. No cost sharing or matching is required for this opportunity. This opportunity does not permit clinical trials and falls under the discretionary category of federal funding.
Key application deadlines include an estimated posting date of September 1, 2025, and a final application submission deadline of November 20, 2025. Awards are expected to be made by June 1, 2026, with projects commencing on the same date. As this is a forecasted opportunity, all dates and funding details are subject to change upon official release.
For more information, applicants may contact Sharon D. Beard at NIEHS by phone at 984-287-3237 or by email at beard1@niehs.nih.gov.
