World Trade Center Health Program Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering a K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award to support early-career investigators in building independent research careers centered on the long-term health impacts of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This award provides up to three years of funding with at least 75 percent protected time for mentored research and career development, enabling recipients to focus on advancing knowledge around the physical and mental health consequences of 9/11 exposure. Research areas of interest include understanding emerging health conditions, diagnostic and treatment challenges, aging among exposed populations, and translating scientific findings into improved clinical care and public health practices. Studies may span epidemiology, clinical trials, health services, implementation science, quality of life, prevention, and translational research, with no requirement for generalizability to other populations. The program is explicitly designed to cultivate the next generation of researchers dedicated to addressing the unique health needs of 9/11-exposed communities, ensuring sustained scientific attention to this population's evolving burdens. Funding is available through a forecasted solicitation with a posted date of July 2, 2026, and interested applicants can direct inquiries to James Yiin, PhD, the designated Scientific Program Official. Although no specific set-aside or NAICS code is provided, eligibility is restricted to early-stage investigators seeking structured mentorship to transition to independent research status. Resources such as the WTC Health Program Research Agenda and a dashboard of previously funded projects are publicly accessible to guide proposal development and align applications with current program priorities.