Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
About
The goal of this NOFO is to support doctoral candidates studying high-priority areas of child health for the completion of their doctoral dissertation research project. This NOFO seeks to advance research in child health by stimulating the use of Environmental Influences on Child Health (ECHO) Cohort data by doctoral students in relevant scientific areas. This RFA will provide students working on dissertations the opportunity to access the ECHO data 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 U. S. 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. This award will facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of early environmental exposures and child health research, enhancing the pool of highly talented researchers.
The Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36) is designed for doctoral candidates pursuing research in high-priority areas of child health. This grant supports the completion of doctoral dissertation research projects that utilize data from the ECHO Cohort, one of the largest longitudinal datasets in child health research. The ECHO dataset includes de-identified information from over 71,000 participants across the United States, encompassing prenatal and child exposure data related to physical, chemical, social, behavioral, and biological factors. Research can focus on five primary pediatric outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes, upper and lower airway conditions, obesity, neurodevelopment, and positive health. This award is specifically designed to facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of early environmental exposures and child health research, thereby enhancing the pool of highly talented researchers in this critical area. Doctoral candidates should apply if they are conducting dissertation research aligned with these priority areas and seeking to leverage the comprehensive ECHO data repository.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
October 15, 2026
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Amount varies by cycle; consult official NOFO for current details
Deadline
2026-10-15
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual - Deadline October 15, 2026
Best For
Doctoral candidates researching environmental influences on child health outcomes
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations: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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
This grant is intended for doctoral candidates completing dissertation research in high-priority child health areas. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations and foreign components are also ineligible. For specific eligibility requirements and detailed institutional requirements, please refer to Section III of the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the NIH website.
How much funding does Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provide?
Specific funding amounts for this grant cycle are not currently available in the public listing. For current funding range information, please consult the official NOFO on the NIH/NICHD website or contact the program officer directly.
How do I apply for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Applications are submitted through the NIH electronic submission system. The deadline for this grant cycle is October 15, 2026. Applicants will need to demonstrate how their dissertation research will utilize ECHO Cohort data from the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. For complete application instructions, required forms, and submission guidelines, visit the official NIH NOFO page and review all program requirements carefully.
What can Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding be used for?
This grant supports the completion of doctoral dissertation research projects that utilize ECHO Cohort data. Research must focus on one of the five primary pediatric outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airway conditions; obesity; neurodevelopment; or positive health. The grant is intended to advance research in child health through the scientific study of environmental influences on child outcomes. Note that clinical trials are not allowed under this grant mechanism.
Last updated: July 5, 2026