Limited Competition: Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) (UE5/T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Forecast
National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants of up to $20,000 (at least $10,000) to colleges and universities. It expects to make about 2 awards worth $40,000 in total. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around October 5, 2026, with applications due around December 7, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed June 26, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.
- Award ceiling$20,000
- Award floor$10,000
- Expected awards2
- Total funding$40,000
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Forecast posted | June 26, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Expected posting | October 5, 2026 |
| Expected deadline | December 7, 2026 |
| Expected award date | November 2, 2027 |
Add the deadline to your calendar
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to colleges and universities.
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
As SPARK-EHS is intended to launch new environmental health training programs it will focus on predoctoral trainees at institutions that have not had a funded NIEHS T32 during the preceding five years. Institutions that held a NIEHS-funded T32 more than five years ago are also eligible to apply, provided they do not have any current trainees who were funded by the prior T32 award. To ensure a foundational research base and familiarity with NIEHS mission-relevant research and training, the training director or one of the multiple PIs must have at least one actively funded R01-equivalent research award from NIEHS. Applications which include multiple institutions with a proposed common training program are encouraged; however, each participating institution must have at least one active NIEHS R01-equivalent award.
Is this a realistic fit?
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The goal of the Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) initiative is to extend the institutional, geographical, and research reach of NIEHS training. This initiative proposes to launch new and innovative environmental health training programs for research-focused predoctoral trainees at institutions that have not had a funded NIEHS T32 during the preceding five years. Training programs must be responsive to the mission of NIEHS, which is to support research on how the environment affects biological systems across the lifespan, and to translate this knowledge to reduce disease and promote human health. NIEHS will provide support for a two-phased award to eligible institutions to develop (UE5) and implement (T32) training programs specifically oriented to the research interests of NIEHS. This is a Forecast for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Eligibility Section for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NOFO.Information@niehs.nih.gov, NOFO.Information@niehs.nih.gov, Please contact via e-mail..
Questions people ask
Who can apply for Limited Competition: Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) (UE5/T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
National Institutes of Health accepts applications from colleges and universities. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Limited Competition: Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) (UE5/T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Expected deadline December 7, 2026. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $20,000 each. About $40,000 in total across about 2 awards.
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