Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA ES 20 009

RIVER (R35) Environmental Health Research Grant FAQs

1) What is the RIVER program?

The Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) program is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). It is designed to support outstanding investigators in Environmental Health Sciences with longer-term, more flexible funding.

2) What does "R35, Clinical Trial Optional" mean for this opportunity?

RIVER uses the R35 activity code and is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional." This means an applicant may propose research that includes a clinical trial if it fits the overall research program, but proposing a clinical trial is not required.

3) What is the main goal of RIVER funding?

The program aims to enable bigger scientific leaps and greater real-world impact by supporting people and programs with strong trajectories, rather than funding only isolated, tightly defined project aims. It emphasizes innovation, flexibility, and reduced administrative burden.

4) How is RIVER different from a traditional single-project research grant?

Instead of funding one narrowly defined project, RIVER is structured to consolidate an investigator's existing, investigator-initiated research into a single integrated award that supports the majority of their independent environmental health sciences research program.

5) What kinds of research activities does RIVER support?

Based on the description provided, RIVER supports an integrated environmental health sciences research program and is intended to give investigators freedom to pursue bold, novel directions, pivot as new findings arise, and explore higher-risk or interdisciplinary ideas.

6) Who is the focus of the RIVER program: the project or the investigator?

RIVER is centered on the investigator and their overall research vision. NIEHS aims to identify individuals with strong potential for continued innovation and influence.

7) Are applicants limited to a specific career stage?

No. NIEHS explicitly notes that applicants may be at any career stage.

8) What does RIVER mean by providing "longer-term" and "more flexible" support?

The opportunity is described as providing sustained support that reduces administrative burden and gives researchers the freedom to take their work in bold directions, including the ability to pivot when new findings emerge and to pursue emerging questions.

9) What is the funding opportunity title and number?

The title is "Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional)." The funding opportunity number is RFA-ES-20-009.

10) Which federal agency and institute administer this program?

The program is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and administered through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

11) What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument is a grant.

12) What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?

The funding activity category is Environment and Health, and the CFDA number listed is 93.113.

13) When was this opportunity created, and what is the listed closing date?

The creation date provided is March 25, 2020. The original closing date listed is June 18, 2020.

14) Is an award ceiling listed in the provided details?

No award ceiling is specified in the provided excerpt.

15) Is the expected number of awards listed?

No. The provided excerpt does not specify the expected number of awards.

16) What types of U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organization types. Examples listed include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, as described in the listing); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizational types.

17) Which additional applicant categories are highlighted as eligible in the announcement?

The announcement highlights additional eligible categories including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities; and U.S. territories or possessions.

18) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply as the applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

19) Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.

20) Are international collaborations or activities allowed at all under this opportunity?

Yes, "foreign components" (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. This means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain foreign activities or collaborations within the scope of the award when permitted under NIH rules and when appropriately justified and documented.

21) Does RIVER require a single tightly defined project plan?

No. The program is described as not funding a single tightly defined project. Instead, it consolidates much of an investigator's independent research into one integrated award supporting the majority of their program.

22) What is the overall intent of consolidating research into one integrated award?

The intent is to reduce administrative friction, provide stability to the investigator and their team, and enable more ambitious, innovative, and potentially higher-impact science over time.

23) Does the opportunity emphasize real-world impact?

Yes. The description states that the program aims for greater real-world impact by enabling bigger scientific leaps and supporting investigators and programs with strong trajectories.

24) Is this opportunity described as discretionary?

Yes. The RIVER program is described as a discretionary grant opportunity from NIH.