Exploratory Grants for Climate Change and Health Research Center Development (P20 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA ES 23 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 23 007

The Exploratory Grants for Climate Change and Health Research Center Development (P20 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-23-007, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program designed to help institutions plan and launch Climate Change and Health Research Centers (CCHRCs). It uses the P20 planning grant mechanism, meaning it is aimed less at funding a fully mature center and more at building the foundation for one. The overall goal is to create and strengthen a transdisciplinary research environment that can support sustained, long-term work on how climate change affects human health and how to develop practical, action-oriented solutions that reduce harm and protect people at multiple scales, from individuals to entire communities and nations. The FOA explicitly allows clinical trials but does not require them (clinical trial optional), giving applicants flexibility to propose the types of studies that best fit their planning and capacity-building objectives.

A central emphasis of this opportunity is building new or expanded research capacity by forming teams that cut across disciplines and by working in partnership with communities and other stakeholders. The program is intended to help investigators and institutions organize collaborations, generate early or pilot data, and establish the structures needed for a durable research center. Projects supported through the planning grant are expected to align with the NIH Climate Change and Health Initiative framework and its four core tenets: health effects research (understanding climate-related exposures and their impacts on health), health equity (addressing disproportionate climate burdens and inequities affecting vulnerable or underserved groups), intervention research (developing and testing strategies, programs, or policies that reduce risk and improve resilience), and training and capacity building (developing the workforce, methods, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to sustain the field). In practice, the FOA is geared toward helping applicants move from fragmented efforts to a coordinated center-like program with shared priorities, community-engaged approaches, and a clear pathway toward future, larger-scale research support.

The eligibility for this FOA is broad, reflecting a desire to support many kinds of institutions and communities engaged in climate and health work. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), education organizations (independent school districts, public and state-controlled higher education institutions, private higher education institutions), tribal governments and tribal organizations (including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal entities), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)). The FOA also allows for-profit entities (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as additional categories such as faith-based or community-based organizations and minority-serving institutions. The announcement explicitly calls out 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 U.S. territories or possessions. It also notes that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations may be eligible, signaling openness to work that addresses climate and health across borders where appropriate.

From a funding standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary NIH grant with an award ceiling listed at $850,000. It is categorized under multiple CFDA (now Assistance Listing) numbers, indicating participation across NIH components and program areas. The original closing date shown in the source information is November 7, 2023, and the record creation date is March 1, 2023; applicants would typically verify current cycles, reissues, or related active opportunities through NIH and Grants.gov because NIH center-development initiatives are sometimes re-competed or updated over time.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as a center-building and field-building investment. It is meant to help applicants assemble the right scientific and community partnerships, define a coherent climate-and-health research agenda, collect the preliminary data needed to compete for larger awards, and embed equity, intervention development, and training into the center concept from the start. The intended outcome is a stronger national and potentially international ecosystem of climate change and health research centers that can both advance foundational science on climate-related health threats and produce solutions that can be used by communities, health systems, and decision-makers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Grants for Climate Change and Health Research Center Development (P20 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, 93.233, 93.242, 93.307, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.855, 93.865, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-03-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $850,000.00 in funding.
• 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 23 007

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