Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA ES 24 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 24 004

The Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) program (R35 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-24-004, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity administered through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Its core purpose is to back exceptional investigators in the Environmental Health Sciences by giving them longer-term, more stable support and, importantly, more freedom to steer their work as new ideas and discoveries emerge. Rather than forcing investigators to carve their research into multiple narrowly defined projects, RIVER is designed to consolidate much of an investigator's independent, investigator-initiated environmental health research into a single award. The intent is to reduce administrative burden, increase intellectual flexibility, and encourage bold, high-impact directions that may not fit neatly into traditional, highly specified project structures.

Programmatically, RIVER is investigator-focused rather than topic-restrictive. NIEHS is looking to identify individuals with clear potential for continued innovation and meaningful scientific impact in environmental health sciences, regardless of career stage. In practical terms, that means applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong track record and compelling vision for where their science is headed, while also showing that the R35 mechanism will meaningfully support the majority of their independent research program in environmental health. Because the announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants can propose studies that include clinical trials, but they are not required to do so; the mechanism can support both clinical-trial and non-clinical-trial research paths as long as they fit NIEHS priorities and the environmental health sciences scope.

Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types across the United States. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The opportunity also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis signals an interest in broad participation and capacity across many types of institutions that contribute to environmental health research.

There are also important restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. At the same time, the announcement allows foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization may, under NIH rules and with appropriate justification, include certain foreign collaborations or performance sites as part of the project structure even though a foreign organization cannot serve as the primary applicant.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, uses the grant funding instrument, and falls under the environment and health activity area (CFDA number 93.113). The original closing date listed is November 1, 2024, and the posting creation date is July 26, 2024. While specific budget ceilings and the anticipated number of awards are not provided in the source information here, the defining feature of this FOA is the R35-style emphasis on sustained investigator-level support and flexibility rather than a one-off, tightly bounded project. The overall message is that NIEHS wants to invest in people with a strong environmental health research trajectory and give them room to pursue ambitious, potentially transformative work with less fragmentation and less administrative friction.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: 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, Others.

Apply for RFA ES 24 004

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