The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is offering exploratory and developmental grants related to the World Trade Center Health Program (R21) to support research addressing diagnostic and treatment uncertainties for individuals affected by the 9/11 attacks. This funding opportunity aims to encourage innovative research projects that explore new areas of investigation, potentially leading to significant advancements in treatment effectiveness and diagnostic practices for those receiving monitoring and treatment under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. With an estimated total program funding of $30 million and an expected 60 awards, applicants can request funding ranging from $0 to $365,000. Interested parties should note that applications are due by 5:00 PM local time on February 12, 2026, and can direct inquiries to Dr. Eduardo O'Neill at 404-718-8844 or via email at fzt4@cdc.gov.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program supports exploratory and developmental research projects (R21) that address issues related to diagnostic or treatment uncertainty with respect to individuals receiving monitoring and/or treatment under subtitle C of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 as amended. This WTC Health Program R21 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of project development which assess the feasibility of new areas of investigation with the potential to enhance treatment effectiveness and diagnostic practices. These studies may lead to breakthroughs in a particular area, or to the development of new interventions, techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or approaches with major clinical impacts. These studies are expected to break new ground or extend prior discoveries toward new directions or uses. Applicants are expected to propose research for which there is likely to be minimal or no preliminary data.

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