SBIR E-learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44) | RFA ES 17 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 17 004

The SBIR E-learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-17-004) is a discretionary NIH grant program administered through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). It is designed to fund small businesses that want to create or advance technology-based training products that improve the health and safety preparation of workers and responders who face hazardous materials and disaster-related exposures. At its core, the program sits within the mission of the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP), which focuses on preventing work-related injuries and illnesses by helping workers learn practical ways to protect themselves, their coworkers, and their communities from hazardous substances.

The FOA specifically targets "Advanced Technology Training" (ATT) products. In the WTP context, ATT is a broad category that includes e-learning and other modern training approaches such as online modules, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and serious gaming. The intent is not simply to build a flashy tool, but to strengthen the full training lifecycle from development and delivery to assessment and evaluation. In other words, applicants are expected to propose technologies that meaningfully enhance training effectiveness, usability, reach, and measurable learning outcomes for hazardous materials workers and related audiences.

The populations emphasized in this funding include hazardous materials (HAZMAT) workers, skilled support personnel, and multiple types of emergency responders. That includes responders involved in biosafety response, infectious disease response and cleanup, and disaster response activities that involve resiliency training. The FOA also leaves room for ATT tools that support research efforts aimed at understanding both acute and long-term health effects associated with environmental disasters. Taken together, the program is geared toward practical, field-relevant training innovations that can help people work more safely in high-risk environments, particularly during emergencies when conditions are unpredictable and hazards can be complex.

The funding mechanism is SBIR under the R43/R44 activity codes, which generally correspond to the SBIR phased approach: Phase I (R43) supports early-stage feasibility and proof-of-concept work, while Phase II (R44) supports further research and development toward a more complete, deployable product. The financial support for awards under this initiative comes directly from NIEHS Worker Education and Training Branch SBIR funds, reinforcing that the emphasis is on worker protection, training impact, and translation into real-world use rather than purely academic outputs.

Eligibility is limited to small business concerns, consistent with SBIR rules. Foreign institutions and other non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. However, the FOA notes that foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in certain circumstances, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant may justify limited foreign involvement when it is essential to the project and properly compliant.

From the source details provided, this opportunity was categorized under Environment and Health (CFDA 93.142), with an original closing date of 2017-07-28 and a listed award ceiling of $100,000. The announcement was created on 2017-05-15. Applicants are expected to ensure that their proposed training technologies complement the goals and objectives of the NIEHS Worker Training Program, referenced in the FOA via the WTP website. The practical takeaway is that competitive proposals would align tightly with WTP priorities: preventing harm, improving safety behavior and decision-making, and delivering training that is accessible, effective, and demonstrably useful for hazardous materials and emergency response contexts.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SBIR E-learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.142.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-07-28. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.

Apply for RFA ES 17 004

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