The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has announced its intent to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Worker Training Program’s Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45 – Clinical Trials Not Allowed). This initiative stems from the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), Section 126(g), which authorized a national assistance program to provide training and education for workers engaged in hazardous waste and hazardous materials activities.
The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support the development and implementation of health and safety training for workers who are exposed to hazardous materials. The focus is on training workers and their supervisors involved in activities such as hazardous materials and waste generation, treatment, disposal, storage, transportation, containment, removal, and emergency response. The U45 cooperative agreement mechanism will be used to fund these efforts, emphasizing classroom, online, and practical hands-on instruction.
This opportunity includes three program areas: the core Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (HWWTP), which is mandatory, and two optional programs—the Environmental Career Worker Training Program (ECWTP) and the Hazmat Disaster Preparedness Training Program (HDPTP). The core HWWTP must be included in any application seeking to incorporate the optional programs. This structure supports a comprehensive approach to training that can address routine and emergency hazardous material situations.
Organizations eligible to apply include Native American tribal organizations (excluding Federally recognized governments), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and both private and public institutions of higher education. The NIH encourages investigators with relevant expertise in occupational health and safety education and training, as well as those involved in industrial hygiene and environmental exposure research, to consider applying. The anticipated number of awards is five.
The forecasted timeline for this opportunity includes an estimated post date of October 16, 2025, with applications due by November 25, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by June 1, 2026, which is also the estimated project start date. This funding opportunity falls under Assistance Listing 93.142 and does not require cost-sharing or matching funds.
For further information, potential applicants can contact Sharon Beard at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences via phone at 984-287-3237 or by email at beard1@niehs.nih.gov.
