[National Institutes of Health (NIH)](https://www.nih.gov/)

March 17, 2026 (Estimated Application Due Date)

Estimated total program funding: $1,260,000 | ~8 awards expected

Supports dissertation research by doctoral candidates using ECHO Cohort data to advance maternal and child health research.

Applicants must use ECHO’s longitudinal data on early environmental exposures and child health outcomes.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity supports doctoral candidates conducting dissertation research in high-priority areas of maternal and child health, specifically leveraging data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. The ECHO Cohort provides a large, de-identified longitudinal dataset of over 71,000 maternal and child participants across the U.S., available through the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. Research topics must focus on early environmental exposures and their impact on child health, including prenatal and child exposures and outcomes related to: - Pre-, peri-, and postnatal health - Upper and lower airway outcomes - Obesity and its consequences - Neurodevelopment - Positive health The goal is to foster the next generation of researchers in environmental exposures and child health by providing support for dissertation research projects utilizing the ECHO dataset. --- ## Due Dates - Estimated Application Due Date: March 17, 2026 - Estimated Award Date: October 5, 2026 - Estimated Project Start Date: October 5, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $1,260,000 - Expected number of awards: 8 - No cost sharing or matching required --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicant organizations include: - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - State and county governments - Independent school districts - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) - Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized) - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) - For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) - Small businesses **Note:** The intended applicant is a doctoral candidate; however, applications must be submitted through an eligible organization. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be developed in collaboration with the applicant’s institution. - Proposals should focus on analysis of ECHO Cohort data available through the NICHD DASH repository. - The opportunity is currently forecasted; monitor [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359149) for the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application instructions. - No cost sharing or matching is required. --- ## Additional Information - The ECHO Cohort dataset integrates longitudinal data on environmental exposures and child health outcomes from a diverse, nationwide sample. - The award aims to facilitate entry of promising new investigators into the field of early environmental exposures and child health research. - Research must align with the high-priority areas outlined in the program description. --- ## External Links - [NIH ECHO Program Overview](https://echochildren.org/) - [NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH)](https://dash.nichd.nih.gov/) - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359149) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Affiliation | |---------------------|-----------------------------|---------------|------------------------------------------| | Clayton Mash, Ph.D. | [clay.mash@nih.gov](mailto:clay.mash@nih.gov) | 301-655-3272 | Office of the Director, NIH ECHO Program |

Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36)

Sign in to see full grant listing