The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is dedicated to tackling environmentally-related health problems, particularly within economically disadvantaged and underserved communities. Through its Developmental Center Grant (P20) program, NIEHS fosters the growth of multi-disciplinary research initiatives. These grants are specifically designed to support institutions in building robust Core Centers (P30s) that will ultimately address critical environmental health disparities. This initiative underscores a commitment to enhancing healthcare processes by focusing on research that directly informs better care for vulnerable populations exposed to environmental hazards.
This funding opportunity is the initial step towards establishing these crucial Core Centers. A key requirement for progressing from a P20 Developmental Grant to a P30 Core Center grant is demonstrating a minimum of $1,500,000 in direct costs from NIH peer-reviewed, investigator-initiated research support in environmental health science. This existing research base must align directly with the proposed Core Center’s theme, ensuring a solid foundation for future impactful work.
NIEHS Core Centers are envisioned as hubs of groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research. They are expected to conduct integrative studies on focused environmental health questions, employing cutting-edge experimental designs and technologies. The P20 program is structured to nurture the early-stage development of interdisciplinary teams. These teams will investigate environmental health concerns impacting underserved populations, proving the viability of collaborative work within a cohesive Core Center framework. The program aims to broaden the diversity of the NIEHS Center program across scientific disciplines, institutions, geography, and demographics, by empowering new research-oriented institutions to cultivate the necessary research, leadership, and organizational capabilities.
Consistent with the Public Health Service’s “Healthy People 2000” objectives, this Developmental Grant program directly addresses the priority area of environmental health. This alignment highlights the program’s focus on improving public health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to environmental health resources and care.
Alt text: NIH Office of Extramural Research Logo promoting health discovery.
Eligibility and Funding Mechanism
To be eligible for the Developmental Center Grant, applicants must already possess a minimum of $500,000 in funded research related to environmental health sciences. This requirement ensures that the program supports institutions with an existing commitment and track record in the field. Developmental Center grants are intended for research groups demonstrating a strong history of environmental health research and a clear potential to evolve into mature Core Centers. Institutions lacking substantial peer-reviewed, externally funded research activity in environmental health science are not eligible.
Applications are encouraged from various domestic organizations, including for-profit and non-profit entities, both public and private, and particularly minority institutions. Collaborative efforts between minority and majority institutions are also welcomed. Typically, only one developmental grant will be awarded per institution. While a single institution must serve as the applicant, multi-institutional consortia are permissible if a compelling rationale exists and clear evidence of close collaboration among participants is demonstrated. NIEHS strongly encourages applications from minority individuals and women, reflecting its commitment to increasing diversity in biomedical and behavioral research.
The selection process for P20 Developmental Grants is highly competitive. Awards are granted only to institutions that convincingly demonstrate to the review committee a strong likelihood of successfully transitioning to a competitive core center grant application (P30) after the P20 grant period. Therefore, applicants are urged to consider the NIEHS requirements for Core Centers, for which guidelines are available upon request. This RFA is a one-time solicitation, emphasizing the focused nature of this developmental initiative.
Funding for NIEHS Developmental Center grants is capped at $250,000 in direct costs per year, for a maximum of four years. It is anticipated that one to three developmental grants will be awarded, contingent upon available funds and the quality of applications received. Awards are non-renewable, and supplements are not permitted. Funding beyond the initial year is subject to satisfactory progress and fund availability. The earliest possible award date was April 1, 1999, indicating the historical context of this funding announcement and its role in shaping environmental health research programs.
Research Objectives and Scope: Addressing Health Disparities
A core objective of this program is to address the disproportionate burden of environmental health problems faced by economically disadvantaged and underserved populations. These communities often experience higher rates of morbidity and mortality, lower life expectancy, and greater adverse health consequences due to inadequate access to quality healthcare. Furthermore, they are frequently exposed to higher levels of environmental hazards and have less access to information regarding the health impacts of these exposures.
Research efforts to understand the sources and effects of hazardous environmental exposures in minority and underserved populations have been historically insufficient. Significant gaps exist in knowledge about the specific environmental agents these communities encounter in their homes and workplaces. The interplay between socioeconomic status and exposure to these agents remains under-researched. It is hypothesized that factors such as malnutrition, pre-existing health conditions, and socioeconomic status, combined with lifestyle factors like smoking and substance use, significantly influence the dose-response relationship, metabolism, and overall health effects of hazardous agents in these populations.
Occupational exposures are a critical concern, as socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals often hold lower-paying jobs in industries with higher environmental risks. Geographic location also plays a crucial role. Inner-city communities may face high lead exposure in older housing and elevated levels of air pollution. Conversely, rural, low-income areas may be disproportionately affected by toxic waste sites and contaminated water sources. Compounding these environmental challenges, medical care is often inadequate or inaccessible for a significant portion of these populations. This lack of access to healthcare further exacerbates the health consequences of environmental exposures.
Conditions such as lead poisoning, hypertension, prostate cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes are disproportionately prevalent in minority and economically disadvantaged communities. While the etiology of some of these conditions may include environmental factors, limited resources for early identification and intervention can lead to an increased disease burden in populations least equipped to manage it. This program aims to foster research that directly addresses these disparities and improves processes for delivering care and prevention strategies.
Alt text: USA.gov logo promoting accessible government services for public care.
Recent Progress and Opportunities in Environmental Justice
The NIEHS is deeply committed to achieving environmental justice for all communities and to enhancing the participation of minority populations in biomedical research. These goals are vital for improving national health and addressing potential workforce shortages in the biomedical field. This Developmental Center grant program is a key component of this ongoing effort, specifically targeting environmentally-related health problems in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
Examples of existing NIEHS Developmental Centers illustrate the program’s impact. Columbia University’s Center for Environmental Health in Harlem focuses on diseases exacerbated by environmental factors, translating research into public policies and community education. Their work on asthma, triggered by vehicular traffic and air pollution, exemplifies community-engaged research aimed at improving air quality and respiratory health. Tulane University’s center supports research on environmental health effects in underserved communities in Louisiana, studying the impact of industrial air pollutants on respiratory health in a semi-rural population. The University of Louisville’s center investigates industrial chemical exposures in minority and working-class populations, developing biomarkers and outreach programs to assess and mitigate risks in heavily industrialized areas.
These examples highlight the diverse approaches and community-focused strategies employed by NIEHS Developmental Centers to address environmental health disparities and improve care processes in affected communities. The program actively promotes research that is consistent with Federal Executive Order No. 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.” Grantees are expected to integrate environmental justice principles into their projects, addressing disproportionate health effects of environmental contaminants on vulnerable populations.
Developmental Center Grant Components and Special Requirements
The primary goal of the NIEHS Developmental Center grant (P20) is to facilitate the development of interdisciplinary collaborations and preliminary research programs focused on the environmental health of underserved communities. This program serves as a crucial stepping stone towards applying for a more comprehensive NIEHS Core Center grant (P30). Key components of a Developmental Center Grant may include:
- Pilot projects and feasibility studies: These initial studies are designed to gather data, validate approaches, and demonstrate technical competence in addressing the program’s goals and the broader objectives of the NIEHS Center program.
- Recruitment of new investigators: Bringing in new expertise is essential for strengthening the interdisciplinary nature of the future Core Center grant application.
- Inter- and intra-institutional planning: Strategic planning is crucial for developing research strategies and establishing timelines for the subsequent Core Center grant application.
It is important to note that receiving a Developmental Center grant does not guarantee future funding for planned programs. Separate applications are required for subsequent programs and will be evaluated independently. To ensure program focus and progress, regular programmatic assessments are conducted, including annual staff reviews and periodic meetings of Developmental Center grant directors.
Essential Elements for Development
Successful development of an NIEHS Center hinges on several key elements:
- Center Director: A senior leader with strong administrative experience is essential to direct the planning and development effort. This individual must dedicate significant time to the endeavor and possess the authority to allocate resources and shape the Center’s direction.
- Advisory Committees: Both internal and external advisory committees are crucial. An internal planning committee fosters collaboration and leverages institutional resources. An external advisory group, composed of senior experts familiar with NIEHS Core Centers, provides unbiased guidance and assesses progress.
- Research Program Definition and Implementation: Research programs must be directly relevant to the environmental health problems of underserved populations. Centers are expected to pursue innovative, high-impact research questions. Pilot projects should be multidisciplinary, focusing on basic, clinical, or prevention-oriented investigations. Translating research results into public health knowledge and positive community impact is a key objective.
Allowable components of P20 applications include pilot projects, organizational development (faculty recruitment), and administrative/planning core costs. Non-allowable costs include using the Center mechanism as a substitute for individual grant support, funding central institutional administrative personnel, or major renovations or equipment purchases unless critically justified for the Developmental Center’s objectives.
Inclusion, Review, and Inquiries
NIH policy mandates the inclusion of women and minorities in research involving human subjects, unless a clear justification for exclusion is provided. Applicants should consult NIH guidelines on this policy.
Applications are reviewed for completeness and responsiveness by NIH staff. Complete and responsive applications undergo peer review based on scientific and technical merit. Review criteria emphasize the likelihood of successful transition to a P30 Core Center grant, overall program merit, administrative and planning core effectiveness, quality of pilot studies, and institutional commitment. Award decisions are based on application quality, responsiveness to RFA goals, and fund availability.
Inquiries:
For programmatic issues, contact Dr. Allen Dearry. For fiscal matters, contact Mr. David L. Mineo. Contact information for both is provided in the original RFA for further details and clarification. This RFA represents a significant opportunity to develop programs that focus on processes used to provide care and improve environmental health outcomes for underserved communities.
This program operates under the authority of the Public Health Service Act and relevant federal regulations. The PHS encourages smoke-free workplaces and compliance with the Pro-Children Act of 1994. This initiative reflects a commitment to advancing public health and environmental justice through targeted research and community engagement.
