Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS): Strengthening the Pipeline (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA ES 20 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 20 007

The Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS): Strengthening the Pipeline program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career development and training opportunity designed to build a long-term workforce of clinicians who can lead in pediatric and reproductive environmental health. The central aim is to develop a connected, national network of healthcare professionals who understand how environmental exposures affect fertility, pregnancy, fetal development, and child health, and who are equipped to translate that knowledge into clinical practice, research careers, education, and community action. This program is structured as an institutional K12 award, meaning the grant supports an organized training program at an eligible institution that, in turn, appoints and supports multiple trainees (called PREH Scholars) over the life of the award. Clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity.

A key feature of PREHS is its emphasis on bridging two worlds that often remain separate: clinical training and environmental health research. The program is meant to help clinicians who already care for patients (or are preparing to do so) gain the skills to ask strong research and practice-based questions about environmental contributors to disease and disparities, evaluate and apply exposure science and epidemiologic evidence, and become credible leaders who can influence how healthcare systems address environmental risks. The training is not limited to research literacy; it explicitly includes preparation in clinical environmental health practice, teaching and curriculum development, and community-level advocacy. In practical terms, PREH Scholars are expected to come away able to incorporate environmental exposure histories and prevention counseling into routine care, communicate risks clearly to patients and families, educate peers and trainees, and engage with communities and stakeholders around locally relevant exposure concerns.

The target participants are healthcare professionals working in areas directly tied to children and reproduction, including pediatric healthcare providers, obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses, and other interested clinicians whose work intersects with pediatric or reproductive health. The overall intent is pipeline-focused: to create well-qualified leaders who can sustain careers at the intersection of clinical care and environmental health, strengthening the field over time by producing a cohort of clinicians capable of research-informed practice, mentorship, and leadership.

This opportunity is a discretionary grant in the environment and health area (CFDA 93.113) administered by NIH (the opportunity number is RFA ES 20 007). The listed award ceiling is $450,000, and the original closing date for the referenced announcement was January 15, 2021 (created September 22, 2020). As a K12 mechanism, the funding typically supports program infrastructure and scholar-related costs at the institutional level, with the expectation that the institution will provide a structured career development environment, mentorship, and a coherent training plan that aligns with pediatric and reproductive environmental health priorities.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental units. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not acting as institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; eligible agencies of the federal government; and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations or foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.

Taken together, PREHS is best understood as a workforce development investment: it funds institutions to cultivate clinician-scholars who can connect environmental exposure science to real-world pediatric and reproductive healthcare, amplify that expertise through teaching and mentorship, and work with communities to prevent or reduce harmful exposures. The expected outcome is a stronger, more visible pipeline of clinical leaders who can move the field forward through informed practice, engaged scholarship, and sustained advocacy in environmental health as it relates to pregnancy and childhood.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS): Strengthening the Pipeline (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2020-09-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-15. (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 $450,000.00 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 20 007

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