Worker Training Program’s SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for small business concerns developing technology-enhanced training products for hazardous materials and emergency response workers. Eligible applicants include startups and established small businesses proposing online, mobile, AR/VR, or serious gaming solutions. Projects must align with NIEHS Worker Training Program goals. Businesses in any geographic location may apply.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- May 21, 2025 Applications open
- Nov 20, 2025 Application deadline
- Jun 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the NIEHS Worker Training Program’s SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Purpose
This Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) encourages Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications from small business concerns (SBCs) that propose to further the development of Technology-Enhanced Training Products for the health and safety training of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) workers; waste treatment personnel; skilled support personnel associated with an emergency/disaster; emergency responders in biological hazard response, infectious disease response, and medical waste cleanup; emergency responders in disasters; and worker resiliency training. Technology-Enhanced Training Products as defined by the Worker Training Program (WTP) include, but are not limited to, supporting training through various venues such as online training, mobile device training, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and serious gaming. These advanced technologies complement all phases of training that can enhance, supplement, improve, and provide health and safety training for hazardous materials workers. These products must complement the goals and objectives of the WTP. The major objective of the NIEHS WTP is to prevent work related harm by training workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials. The financial support for this initiative is provided by the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Branch SBIR funds.
Initiative Details
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), Section126(g), authorizes an assistance program for training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous waste generation, removal, containment or emergency response and hazardous materials transportation and emergency response. The United States Congress assigned responsibility for administering this program to the NIEHS, an Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the US Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS).
This funding opportunity will solicit R43/R44 SBIR grant applications to provide support for the development of Technology-Enhanced Training Products for the health and safety training of workers exposed to hazardous materials. This consists of classroom, online, and practical health and safety training technologies for workers and their supervisors, who are engaged in activities related to hazardous materials, hazardous waste generation, treatment, storage, disposal, removal, containment, transportation, or emergency response. To assist organizations in the development of institutional competency to provide appropriate training and education to hazardous waste workers.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&D Subaward Budget Attachment Form)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- SBIR Cover Sheet
- References and Support
Program contact
- 👤 Sharon D. Beard NIEHS
- 📧 beard1@niehs.nih.gov
- 📞 984-287-3237
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.142 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$58,848,645
-
$44,441,204
-
$40,434,015
-
$38,123,343
-
$37,221,206
-
$35,505,477
-
$35,403,490
-
Oai Inc IL$30,997,076
-
$27,084,951
-
$26,666,380
Top States by Funding
- MD 5 awards $85.8M
- DC 4 awards $80.3M
- PA 2 awards $63.5M
- OH 2 awards $48.2M
- NJ 3 awards $38.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.142). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $35,159,076 | |
| 2025 | $35,859,076 |
FAQ
What types of businesses can apply?
Small business concerns (SBCs) are eligible. You must meet SBA size standards for your industry.
What training products are acceptable?
Online training, mobile apps, augmented reality, virtual reality, and serious gaming solutions are all supported. Products must serve HAZMAT workers, emergency responders, or waste treatment personnel.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 20, 2025. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What are R43 and R44 phases?
R43 is Phase I (feasibility/concept). R44 is Phase II (development/commercialization). Both are available under this funding opportunity.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. You do not need to match federal funds with your own resources.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your product directly to NIEHS Worker Training Program goals of preventing work-related harm through training. Clearly explain how your technology improves safety outcomes.
- Focus on real-world applicability. Demonstrate that your solution addresses actual training gaps for HAZMAT workers, emergency responders, or waste treatment personnel.
- Build a credible team. Include subject matter experts in occupational safety, instructional design, and technology development.
- Address commercialization potential in Phase II. Show a clear path to market and sustainability beyond the grant.
- Test your concept with end users. Evidence of user feedback or pilot testing strengthens competitiveness significantly.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing generic training software without specific HAZMAT/emergency response focus. Failing to demonstrate how technology meaningfully improves safety outcomes. Underestimating development complexity or overestimating Phase I feasibility without realistic timelines.
Similar grants
- CLOSED Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for NIEHS Worker Training Program’s Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45 – Clinical Trials Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED NIEHS Worker Training Program’s HAZMAT Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Limited Competition: Supporting Programs to Advance Research Knowledge in Environmental Health Sciences (SPARK-EHS) (UE5/T32 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIH, CDC and FDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health