Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 19 007
The Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental health Research (RIVER) program is a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) funding opportunity designed to back exceptional investigators in the Environmental Health Sciences by supporting most of their independent research program through one long-term award. Instead of funding a collection of separate, narrower project grants, RIVER consolidates an investigator's existing, investigator-initiated research support into a single grant. The core idea is to give highly productive, creative scientists more intellectual room and less administrative drag, so they can pursue new directions, take bigger scientific risks, and ultimately generate larger impacts on environmental health.
This opportunity uses the R35 mechanism and is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants must propose research that does not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial. The award is structured to be sustained and flexible: it can run for as long as 8 years, which is notably longer than many standard NIH awards. Budget-wise, it supports direct costs of about $600,000 per year, with the possibility of going up to $750,000 in direct costs depending on the amount of current NIEHS funding that would be consolidated into the RIVER award. In practical terms, the program is meant for investigators who already have an active, externally funded research portfolio in environmental health and who would benefit from merging that portfolio into one coherent, long-horizon program of work.
The program is focused on people rather than single projects. NIEHS is trying to identify individuals, at any career stage, who show strong potential for continued innovation and influence in environmental health research. That "regardless of career stage" language signals that the program is not limited only to late-career or senior investigators; the emphasis is on demonstrated excellence and the likelihood of future high-impact contributions. The flexibility offered by this model is intended to let investigators shift emphasis as new findings emerge, pursue unexpected leads, and respond to evolving environmental health challenges without repeatedly rebuilding grant applications around narrowly defined aims.
Administratively, this is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health, in the Environment and Health activity area, with CFDA number 93.113. The funding opportunity title is "Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and the funding opportunity number is RFA-ES-19-007. The original closing date listed for the opportunity is 2019-06-20, and the listing does not specify an award ceiling amount beyond the described annual direct cost levels, nor does it provide a number of expected awards in the provided source text.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. governmental entities and organizations. 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; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also calls out additional categories of eligible applicants, emphasizing inclusion of diverse institution types and communities, 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 agencies, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, non-U.S. (foreign) organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Overall, RIVER is best understood as an investigator-centered, long-duration NIEHS investment meant to amplify the reach of proven environmental health scientists. By combining multiple streams of existing NIEHS support into one award and extending the funding horizon, the program aims to reduce fragmentation, encourage ambitious and innovative research trajectories, and enable investigators to adapt and evolve their work as the science and environmental health priorities change, while staying within a non-clinical-trial research scope.Apply for RFA ES 19 007
- 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 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 2019-04-04.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-06-20. (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 program?
The Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental health Research (RIVER) program is a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) funding opportunity intended to support exceptional investigators in the Environmental Health Sciences. It is designed to back most of an investigator's independent research program through a single, long-term award rather than multiple separate project grants.
Which agency and institute offer this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
What is the funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is "Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-ES-19-007.
What grant mechanism does RIVER use?
RIVER uses the NIH R35 mechanism.
Is a clinical trial allowed under this opportunity?
No. The opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants must propose research that does not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial.
What is the main purpose of consolidating grants under RIVER?
Instead of funding a collection of narrower project grants, RIVER consolidates an investigator's existing, investigator-initiated NIEHS research support into a single grant. The intent is to reduce administrative burden and give highly productive, creative scientists more flexibility to pursue new directions and take larger scientific risks.
How long can the RIVER award last?
The award can run for as long as 8 years, which is longer than many standard NIH awards.
How much funding does RIVER provide per year?
The program supports direct costs of about $600,000 per year.
Can the annual direct cost amount be higher than $600,000?
Yes. The annual direct costs may go up to $750,000 depending on the amount of current NIEHS funding that would be consolidated into the RIVER award.
Does the listing specify an award ceiling amount?
No. The provided listing does not specify an overall award ceiling amount beyond the described annual direct cost levels.
Does the listing state how many awards are expected?
No. The provided source text does not include a number of expected awards.
Who is the program designed for?
The program is intended for investigators who already have an active, externally funded research portfolio in environmental health and who would benefit from merging that portfolio into one coherent, long-horizon program of work.
Is the program focused on a specific project or on the investigator?
RIVER is focused on people rather than single projects. NIEHS aims to identify individuals with strong potential for continued innovation and influence in environmental health research.
Is RIVER limited to senior investigators?
No. The opportunity indicates it is open to individuals "regardless of career stage," emphasizing demonstrated excellence and the likelihood of future high-impact contributions rather than seniority alone.
What kinds of research benefits does RIVER emphasize?
The model is intended to give investigators more intellectual room and less administrative drag, enabling them to shift emphasis as new findings emerge, pursue unexpected leads, take bigger scientific risks, and respond to evolving environmental health challenges without repeatedly rebuilding grant applications around narrowly defined aims.
What activity area is this opportunity associated with?
The opportunity is categorized under the Environment and Health activity area.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.113.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2019-06-20.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. governmental entities and organizations, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- 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
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations included in eligibility?
Yes. The announcement highlights inclusion of diverse institution types and communities, 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 faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement includes eligible federal agencies among the eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions.
What is meant by "consolidating" existing NIEHS funding into RIVER?
In this context, consolidating means merging an investigator's existing, investigator-initiated NIEHS research support into a single RIVER award, replacing a collection of separate, narrower grants with one long-term, flexible grant structure.
What is the overall goal of the RIVER approach?
RIVER is an investigator-centered, long-duration NIEHS investment meant to amplify the reach of proven environmental health scientists by reducing fragmentation, encouraging ambitious and innovative research trajectories, and enabling investigators to adapt and evolve their work as science and environmental health priorities change, while staying within a non-clinical-trial research scope.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental health Research (RIVER) (R35 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA ES 19 008 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Environmental Influences on Aging: Effects of Extreme Weather and Disaster Events on Aging Processes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 249 Funding Number: PAR 19 249 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 19 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 19 010 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| HAZMAT Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 19 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 19 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 19 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Pregnancy as a Vulnerable Time Period for Women's Health (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Limited Competition: Specialized Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research (P50) Apply for RFA MD 20 001 Funding Number: RFA MD 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Environmental Risks for Psychiatric Disorders: Biological Basis of Pathophysiology (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 386 Funding Number: PAR 19 386 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Environmental Risks for Psychiatric Disorders: Biological Basis of Pathophysiology (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 385 Funding Number: PAR 19 385 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Organotypic Culture Models developed from Experimental Animals for Chemical Toxicity Screening (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 20 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHSCC) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 20 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 006 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 20 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S. - India Collaborative Environmental Health Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 20 010 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Collaborative Centers in Children's Environmental Health Research and Translation Centers (P2C Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 20 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RESolution of InflammaTion in EnvirOnmentally Related diseasE (RESTORE) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 013 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| NIEHS SBIR Phase IIB Validation of Sensors for Improved Environmental Exposure Assessment (R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 016 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS): Strengthening the Pipeline (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
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