For Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Postdoctoral
Can you apply?
This grant is for postdoctoral researchers pursuing fellowship training within or adjacent to the National Institutes of Health research enterprise, specifically to support research that maximizes scientific value from data generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D., MD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) and have completed or be nearing completion of research training. The fellowship supports independent research training at NIH-funded institutions or research settings for up to three years. Eligible applicants are typically U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents conducting postdoctoral research that aligns with ECHO program objectives—which focus on environmental and early life factors influencing child health across the lifespan. This is a national program with no geographic restrictions.
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 awards to advance research and training in high-priority areas of child health using ECHO Cohort data by postdoctoral fellows from relevant scientific communities. This RFA will provide opportunities for fellows 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 postdoctoral fellowship candidate studying in the areas identified is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R) with required certifications and assurances
- Research proposal narrative (typically 6-10 pages) describing the scientific aims and methodology
- Specific Aims page (typically 1-2 pages)
- Budget justification and detailed budget (NIH Form SF-424 budget components)
- Biographical sketches of applicant and mentor (NIH Form SF-424 Biographical Sketch, 5 pages maximum each)
- Mentor's NIH biosketch and evidence of research support (copy of current NIH grant)
- Letters of recommendation from mentor and collaborators (typically 2-3 letters)
- Career development/training plan describing how the fellowship supports transition to independence
- Institutional support letter confirming research space, equipment, and mentor availability
- ECHO data use plan if proposing to use specific ECHO datasets
- Postdoctoral training documentation and transcripts
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
-
$973,507,476
-
$383,462,829
-
$190,396,050
-
$179,743,190
-
$169,422,678
-
$167,922,818
-
$143,679,156
-
$134,358,531
-
$115,739,255
-
$91,722,927
Top States by Funding
- NC 5 awards $1,419.6M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $303.8M
- NY 3 awards $192.1M
- NJ 1 awards $179.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this F32 fellowship?
Applicants must hold a research or health professions doctorate (Ph.D., MD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) from an accredited institution and be supported by an NIH-funded mentor at the time of application. U.S. citizenship, national status, or permanent residency is required. You should have completed or be completing your initial postdoctoral training.
What research topics are supported under this ECHO-focused opportunity?
This fellowship specifically supports research that uses or maximizes data from the ECHO Program. ECHO focuses on environmental influences on child health outcomes from pregnancy through adulthood, including exposures to environmental toxins, lifestyle factors, and sociodemographic influences on development and health trajectories.
What is the funding range and project duration?
NIH F32 fellowships typically provide three years of support with annual salary stipends, institutional allowance, and some research support. The exact amount depends on your degree level and years of postdoctoral experience, but budgets typically range from $80,000 to $110,000 per year total project costs.
What is the application deadline and how competitive is this opportunity?
Deadlines vary by study section; NIH typically has multiple submission dates per year. F32 fellowships are highly competitive, with success rates often around 20-30%. Applications are reviewed on scientific merit, mentor qualifications, and fit with ECHO program priorities.
What are the key components of a strong F32 application?
Critical elements include a detailed research proposal aligned with ECHO data and priorities, strong letters of recommendation from your mentor and collaborators, documentation of your research training, a career development plan showing how the fellowship builds your independence, and evidence of mentor support and institutional commitment to your training.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research question directly with ECHO Program priorities (environmental exposures, child development, health outcomes across the lifespan) and clearly explain how you will leverage existing ECHO data to maximize scientific value.
- Secure an exceptionally strong mentor with established NIH funding and demonstrated commitment to mentoring postdocs; provide detailed evidence of mentoring relationships, co-authorship records, and institutional support infrastructure.
- Develop a credible plan for transitioning to research independence—include preliminary data you've generated, specific skill development goals during the fellowship, and a realistic timeline for becoming an independent investigator.
- Present a well-developed research proposal with clear, testable hypotheses, sound methodology, feasibility evidence, and specific milestones; use preliminary data from ECHO or similar datasets to demonstrate feasibility.
- Highlight how your fellowship training will address gaps in understanding child health outcomes and position you to lead an independent research program that contributes to the ECHO mission and broader NIH strategic priorities.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when the research proposal lacks a clear connection to ECHO Program data or priorities, or when mentors appear under-committed with insufficient evidence of active collaboration. Many rejected applications also lack a credible plan for research independence, presenting the fellowship as an extension of current work rather than a launching point for an independent research career.
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