For Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 12, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for doctoral candidates completing dissertation research in maternal and child health. Applicants must be pursuing a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree and studying high-priority areas within early environmental exposures and child health outcomes. Eligible research uses data from the ECHO Cohort dataset through the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. Research must align with one of five primary outcome areas: prenatal/perinatal/postnatal outcomes, airway health, obesity, neurodevelopment, or positive health. Applicants must work with their organization to submit the application.
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Key dates
- May 27, 2025 Applications open
- Mar 17, 2026 Application deadline
- Oct 5, 2026 Award announced
- Oct 5, 2026 Project start
Program description
The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program (ECHO) intends to promote an ongoing initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for support of doctoral candidates studying high-priority areas of maternal and child health in the completion of their doctoral dissertation research. This NOFO seeks to advance research in maternal and child health by stimulating the use of ECHO Cohort data by doctoral students in relevant scientific areas. This RFA will provide opportunities for dissertation students to study early environmental exposures and child health outcomes through the analysis of ECHO’s large longitudinal data set within the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. ECHO’s DASH dataset integrates de-identified longitudinal data from more than 71,000 maternal and child participants across the U.S. The data include prenatal and child environmental exposures of many kinds, and five primary pediatric outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airway outcomes; obesity and its consequences; 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. Any doctoral candidate studying in the high-priority areas identified is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- County Government
- Graduate Student
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketch of applicant (CV)
- Biographical Sketch of faculty mentor
- Supporting Letters from Dissertation Advisor and Committee Members
- Data Analysis Plan specific to ECHO DASH variables
Program contact
- 👤 Clayton Mash, Ph.D. Office of the Director, NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes
- 📧 clay.mash@nih.gov
- 📞 301-655-3272
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$383,462,829
-
$198,364,987
-
$190,396,050
-
$179,737,926
-
$169,422,678
-
$148,383,140
-
$143,679,156
-
$115,739,255
-
$91,722,927
-
$90,799,903
Top States by Funding
- NC 4 awards $446.4M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $317.8M
- NY 3 awards $207.3M
- CA 1 awards $198.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,174,839,078 | |
| 2025 | $1,062,277,534 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,100,048 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Doctoral candidates actively working on their dissertation in maternal and child health research. You must be affiliated with an eligible organization that will submit your application.
What data must I use for my research?
Your research must use the ECHO Cohort dataset housed in the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH). The dataset includes information from over 71,000 maternal and child participants.
What topics are eligible?
Research focusing on early environmental exposures and one of five outcome areas: prenatal/perinatal/postnatal, airway, obesity, neurodevelopment, or positive health.
When is the deadline?
Applications are due March 17, 2026. This is a fixed deadline with no rolling acceptance.
How much funding is available?
The total funding pool is $1,260,000 available for this cohort of awards. Individual award amounts vary based on project scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your dissertation research question directly addresses one of the five ECHO priority outcome areas. Demonstrate clear alignment in your proposal.
- Access and explore the ECHO DASH dataset early. Show familiarity with the available variables and your plan to analyze them meaningfully.
- Establish a strong mentoring relationship with your dissertation advisor. Your application should reflect their endorsement and their role in your research.
- Connect your proposed work to the existing ECHO research community. Reference relevant published findings from previous ECHO studies.
- Build a clear timeline for dissertation completion. Show how this award will facilitate timely progress toward your degree.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research that doesn't fit the five priority outcome areas or uses different data sources instead of ECHO DASH. Submitting an underdeveloped research plan without demonstrating knowledge of the ECHO dataset or preliminary data analysis. Failing to show strong mentorship support or clarity about your dissertation committee's role in the research.
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