Grants / Department of Health and Human Services / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA

NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® (U19)

Forecast Expected deadline February 26, 2027 Opportunity RFA-OH-27-049

• Award ceiling$1.4 million
• Award floor$500,000
• Expected awards10
• Total funding$58.5 million
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeCooperative Agreement

Key dates

Add the deadline to your calendar

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to any type of organization.

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• For profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses
• Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the HHS Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

More grants for nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses, businesses, individuals.

Is this a realistic fit?

• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

PURPOSE NIOSH intends to support the Centers of Excellence in Total Worker Health® (TWH). These Centers will conduct rigorous research and translation activities to prevent harmful exposures, improve working conditions, and advance worker well-being. The Centers will develop practical, scalable solutions for employers and workers. All projects must use the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ) and share data with the HERO Worker Well-Being Clearinghouse. Large Research Projects require economic evaluation. PRIORITY AREAS • High-risk occupations: First responders, vehicle mechanics, and technicians, with emphasis on occupational exposures, related health risks, and prevention strategies • Young workers, SMEs • Chronic disease • Mental health, stress • Substance use disorder • Artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies This is a multi-component NOFO. COMPONENT STRUCTURE Percentages indicate maximum share of total budget. Overall Component (Required) Provides Center leadership and integration. Applicants should show strong coordination, scientific direction, and alignment across projects. Administration, Evaluation, and Emerging Issues Core (Required; up to 15%) Supports management and Center-wide evaluation. Applicants should describe oversight, data governance, and quality assurance. Optional activities include emerging issues and shared research resources. Outreach, Dissemination, and Impact Core (Required; up to 15%) Supports communication, worker/employer engagement, training, translation, implementation, and dissemination strategies. Research Projects (Required; about 60 to 70%) Includes all research activities. Applicants may propose a mix of projects. Research project distinctions are based on scope and complexity rather than cost. Projects should demonstrate scientific rigor and potential for sustained impact. Small Research Projects (Required; at least one project; up to 3 years) Exploratory, feasibility, early-stage intervention, surveillance, or measurement studies. Priority areas: high-risk occupations, young workers, SMEs. Should show innovation and potential to expand. Large Research Projects (Required; at least one project; up to 5 years) Multiyear etiologic, mechanistic, intervention, or translational studies. Priority areas: chronic disease, mental health, substance use disorder. Economic evaluation is required. Projects should include strong design and analytic plans.

Category: Health.

How to apply

1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
3. 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 Maria Lioce, MD, Scientific Program Official, MLioce@cdc.gov, 404-498-2575.

Open the official notice