Extension of the World Trade Center Health Registry (U50)

The Extension of the World Trade Center Health Registry (U50) is a cooperative agreement funding opportunity administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This grant is issued through the World Trade Center Health Program and aims to continue and expand the work of the WTC Health Registry—a long-term public health registry established in 2002 by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The registry was originally developed to monitor and understand the health effects of the September 11, 2001 attacks on individuals who were directly exposed, including rescue and recovery workers, residents, workers, and students in lower Manhattan. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to ensure the continued maintenance, improvement, and expansion of the WTC Health Registry. The selected recipient will oversee data collection through continued survey waves, conduct focused studies on specific health issues, and engage in outreach efforts for affected communities. Key objectives include maintaining the registry as a public health resource, expanding research on the physical and mental health effects of 9/11 exposure, providing treatment referrals, and collaborating with the WTC Health Program and other stakeholders. The recipient is also expected to help translate research findings into actionable public health policy and clinical practice and to support external research initiatives using registry data. The award will provide a total of $47.4 million over a five-year period, with up to $9.48 million available annually. There is no matching requirement. Funding is intended to support data collection, analysis infrastructure, community outreach, treatment referral services, and dissemination of findings. Some expenditures are restricted—specifically, funds may not be used for clinical care (unless otherwise allowed), lobbying, or most equipment purchases unless clearly justified and approved. Indirect costs may be charged either under a federally approved rate or a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct costs. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, including state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); public and private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations; and small businesses. Foreign institutions and components are not eligible to apply, although collaborations with foreign consultants are allowed. Applicants must also meet responsiveness criteria including budget limits, performance period limits, and eligibility alignment. The application process includes submitting required federal forms (SF424, PHS 398, etc.), narrative sections such as research strategy and data management plans, and appendices documenting past WTC-funded work if applicable. A letter of intent is requested but not required and is due by January 22, 2026. Full applications are due by February 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov or through the eRA ASSIST platform. Award notification is expected by June 26, 2026, and the project start date is set for July 1, 2026. Applications will undergo a two-level review process. The first level is a scientific merit review by non-federal and senior federal scientists, evaluating criteria such as significance, innovation, investigator qualifications, and environment. The second level considers program priorities, research portfolio balance, and budgetary factors. Evaluation also includes assessments of past performance and project relevance to the WTC Health Program's mission. Applicants must provide annual and final performance and financial reports. Post-award, the CDC will maintain an active role in collaboration, consultation, and oversight of funded activities, consistent with the cooperative agreement structure.

Align project goals with WTC Health Program priorities; include a data sharing plan; show previous work and publications; detail treatment referral program and community engagement plans.