Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 22 002
Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity run through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). It is designed to support outstanding investigators in the Environmental Health Sciences by giving them sustained funding along with greater intellectual and administrative flexibility than is typical of standard project-by-project grants. The central idea is to reduce the need to manage multiple separate awards and instead provide a single, consolidated grant that supports most of an investigator's independent environmental health sciences research program, making it easier to pursue new, higher-impact directions as the science evolves.
The program is investigator-focused rather than narrowly project-focused. NIEHS is looking to identify individuals with strong potential for continued innovation and meaningful impact in environmental health research, and this applies regardless of career stage. In practical terms, the award is meant to roll up an investigator's existing investigator-initiated efforts into one integrated program of research, helping them maintain momentum while also creating room to explore novel ideas, take calculated risks, and pivot into emerging opportunities without constantly having to restructure the work into multiple separate applications.
This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-22-002, with an activity category spanning environment and health (CFDA 93.113). It is an R35 mechanism, which generally signals longer-term, programmatic support for an investigator's research rather than a single tightly scoped study. The listing notes "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the goals of their research program, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive to the announcement.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types 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, eligible federal government agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.
There are important limits related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means a U.S. applicant organization can include certain scientifically justified elements of the work to be performed outside the U.S. under NIH rules, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.
Key administrative details from the source include an original closing date of June 9, 2022, and a creation date of January 21, 2022. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, so applicants would typically consult the full NIH funding opportunity announcement for budget structure, project period expectations, and review considerations. Overall, RIVER is positioned as a high-trust, long-horizon investment in researchers who are poised to drive the environmental health sciences forward, with funding structured to encourage ambition, adaptability, and sustained impact.Apply for RFA ES 22 002
- 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 2022-01-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-06-09. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the RIVER (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity?
Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). It uses the R35 mechanism to support an investigator's broader environmental health sciences research program with sustained funding and added flexibility compared to typical project-by-project awards.
Which NIH institute runs this opportunity?
This opportunity is run through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), which is part of NIH.
What is the main purpose of the RIVER program?
The main purpose is to support outstanding investigators in the Environmental Health Sciences by providing long-term, consolidated support for most of an investigator's independent research program. The goal is to reduce the need to manage multiple separate awards and to make it easier to pursue new and potentially higher-impact research directions as the science evolves.
Is RIVER focused on a specific project or on the investigator?
RIVER is investigator-focused rather than narrowly project-focused. The emphasis is on identifying individuals with strong potential for continued innovation and meaningful impact in environmental health research, rather than funding a single tightly scoped study.
What does it mean that RIVER is intended to be a "single, consolidated" grant?
It means the award is intended to roll up and support most of an investigator's investigator-initiated environmental health sciences research efforts under one integrated research program, rather than spreading that work across multiple separate grants.
How does this award provide flexibility compared to standard grants?
The program is designed to provide greater intellectual and administrative flexibility than typical project-by-project grants. It is structured to help investigators maintain momentum while creating room to explore novel ideas, take calculated risks, and pivot into emerging opportunities without constantly restructuring the work into multiple separate applications.
Does RIVER require a clinical trial?
No. The listing states "Clinical Trial Optional," which means a clinical trial may be proposed if it fits the goals of the investigator's research program, but a clinical trial is not required for an application to be responsive.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) provided is RFA-ES-22-002.
What type of grant is this categorized as?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant. The activity mechanism is R35, which generally indicates longer-term, programmatic support for an investigator's research program.
What is the activity mechanism and what does "R35" generally signal?
The mechanism is R35. In general terms, R35 signals longer-term, programmatic support for an investigator's research rather than support limited to a single narrowly defined project.
What is the CFDA number and what area does it cover?
The listing references CFDA 93.113, with an activity category spanning environment and health.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations, including government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations (including small businesses), as well as other eligible entities listed in the announcement information provided.
Which government entities are eligible applicants?
Eligible government applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; and special district governments.
Are schools and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments are also listed as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The information provided explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions among the highlighted eligible applicant types.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The information provided explicitly highlights faith-based or community-based organizations as additional eligible applicant types.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The information provided explicitly highlights several categories, including 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included in the eligible applicant types listed.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The information provided explicitly highlights eligible federal government agencies as an eligible applicant type.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations for this opportunity.
Can a U.S. organization with a non-U.S. component apply?
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant organization may include certain scientifically justified elements of the work to be performed outside the U.S. under NIH rules.
What is a "foreign component" in the context of this opportunity?
The information provided states that foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In practical terms, this generally means that while a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant, a U.S. applicant may include certain justified portions of the work to be performed outside the U.S. under NIH policies.
Does the listing specify the award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. Based on the information provided, the award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified in the listing.
Where would applicants typically look for budget structure and project period expectations?
Because the provided listing does not include the award ceiling, expected number of awards, budget structure, or project period expectations, applicants would typically consult the full NIH funding opportunity announcement for those details.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date provided is June 9, 2022.
What is the creation date listed for this opportunity?
The creation date provided is January 21, 2022.
What kind of research program is this grant intended to support?
It is intended to support most of an investigator's independent environmental health sciences research program, integrating ongoing investigator-initiated efforts and enabling the investigator to pursue innovative, ambitious, and adaptable directions over time.
Does this program apply to a particular career stage?
The information provided indicates that the program is looking for individuals with strong potential for continued innovation and meaningful impact regardless of career stage.
What is the central idea behind providing sustained, flexible support?
The central idea is to reduce the administrative burden of managing multiple separate awards and to provide a high-trust, long-horizon investment that allows investigators to maintain research momentum while adapting their program as new opportunities and scientific directions emerge.
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| Accelerating the Pace of Child Health Research Using Existing Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (R21-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 138 Funding Number: PAR 22 138 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Accelerating the Pace of Child Health Research Using Existing Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 137 Funding Number: PAR 22 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 22 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 210 Funding Number: PAR 22 210 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers for Oceans and Human Health 4: Impacts of Climate Change on Oceans and Great Lakes (COHH4) (P01 Clinal Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 22 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Biological Basis for how Environmental Exposures Impact Risk for Psychiatric Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 22 008 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Biological Basis for how Environmental Exposures Impact Risk for Psychiatric Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 22 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Utilizing Telomere Status to Reveal Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Susceptibility and Resiliency in Response to Environmental Exposures (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 22 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHSCC) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 22 010 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Accelerating Data and Metadata Standards in the Environmental Health Sciences (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Maintaining and Enriching Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts to Support Scientific and Workforce Diversity (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Strategies for Responsibly Reporting Back Environmental Health and Non-Genomic Research Results (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 23 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CCRP Initiative: Chemical Threat Agent Exposure Resource and Coordination Core (ExRC) (U2C Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 23 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 23 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HAZMAT Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CCRP Initiative: Chemical Threat Agent-induced Pulmonary and Ocular Pathophysiological Mechanisms (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 24 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 24 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 24 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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