Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) 2026 Grant

About this grant

This funding opportunity (RFA-OD-27-008) seeks to advance research and training in high-priority areas of child health by stimulating the use of Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort data by postdoctoral fellows from relevant scientific disciplines. The program provides opportunities for fellows to study child health outcomes through the analysis of ECHO's large longitudinal datasets within the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. ECHO's DASH dataset integrates de-identified longitudinal data from more than 71,000 participants across the United States. Prenatal and child exposure data include physical, chemical, social, behavioral, and biological factors. ECHO's five primary pediatric outcome areas are pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airway; obesity; neurodevelopment; and positive health. The fellowship is structured as a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32), supporting individual postdoctoral researchers who wish to maximize the scientific value of already-generated ECHO Program data. The program expects to make approximately 8 awards with an estimated total program funding of $1,260,000.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic organizations such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, city or township governments, county governments, state governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and others as clarified in the NOFO. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. Cost sharing or matching is not required.

How it's scored

Specific evaluation criteria and scoring details are not described on this page. Applicants are directed to refer to Section III (Eligibility Information) and the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for complete details on how applications will be judged.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a postdoctoral fellow (Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA F32 eligibility)
• ✓Research must utilize ECHO Cohort data from the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository
• ✓Project must focus on one or more of ECHO's five primary pediatric outcome areas: prenatal/perinatal/postnatal outcomes, upper/lower airway, obesity, neurodevelopment, or positive health
• ✓Applicant must be from a relevant scientific discipline aligned with child health and environmental exposures

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) deadline?

Applications close 2 Dec 2026.

Who can apply for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32)?

Eligibility covers organisations in US; university, research-institution. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate and health funding covers the health effects of heat, air pollution, disease shifts and extreme weather, along with health systems that can withstand them. Research councils, global health funders and development agencies are the usual sources. Applicants are typically expected to combine health and climate expertise and to work with public health partners.