The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is inviting applications for the Promoting World Trade Center Health Program Youth Research Cohort Recruitment and Retention project, aimed at enhancing community engagement through Community Engaged Research (CEnR) principles. The initiative seeks to establish authentic partnerships between communities and health researchers to effectively recruit and retain participants, particularly young survivors and advocacy organizations, while evaluating the effectiveness of pilot studies throughout the process. This funding opportunity, categorized as a discretionary federal grant, offers a total estimated program funding of $24 million, with individual awards ranging from $0 to $1 million, and is expected to support approximately six projects. Interested applicants can reach out to Eduardo O'Neill, PhD, at 404-718-8844 or via email at fzt4@cdc.gov for further information, with applications due by 5:00 PM local time on February 12, 2026.

The purpose of this announcement is to solicit projects to promote YRC recruitment and retention through application of the principles of Community Engaged Research (CEnR). Recruitment approaches should maximize engagement of interest holders which include, but are not limited to: 1) Those seeking care (young survivors, other patients, and advocacy organizations); 2) Those providing care (clinicians, allied health, health care provider organizations, WTC Health Program Centers of Excellence); 3) Those overseeing care policies (program leaders, policymakers); and 4) Those developing evidence on health outcomes and care effectiveness (other researchers). Seeking diverse community engagement promotes an accurate reflection of community values and collaboration, as well as builds capacity for future research. Requirements for applications for this NOFO include: 1) authentic partnerships between communities and health researchers; 2) pilot studies to identify, recruit, and retain eligible participants in the YRC; and 3) evaluations of the overall effectiveness and impacts of each pilot study. Evaluations should occur throughout all phases of each pilot study, should include successes and lessons learned, and how the latter could improve potential future efforts. 

Promoting World Trade Center Health Program Youth Research Cohort Recruitment and Retention Using Principles of Community Engaged Research (CEnR) to Build Community Participation (U01)

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