[Health Effects Institute](https://www.healtheffects.org)

January 23, 2026 (Preliminary) | June 5, 2026 (Full)

Up to $600,000 total (including indirect costs) over 3 years; typically 1–2 awards per cycle.

Supports early career researchers investigating the health effects of air pollution.

Full applications are by invitation only after a successful preliminary application.

--- ## Description This opportunity supports creative early career investigators, at the Assistant Professor or equivalent level, who show outstanding promise and are interested in research on the health effects of air pollution. The goal is to foster innovative research relevant to the Health Effects Institute's (HEI) mission and to help establish the next generation of independent researchers in air pollution and health. Projects may span a range of disciplines, including epidemiology, exposure science, toxicology, risk assessment, social science, statistics, economics, and atmospheric science. Applicants are encouraged to explore the history of the award, review past winners, and engage with ongoing projects funded under this initiative. --- ## Due Dates - **Preliminary Application (anticipated):** January 2026 - **Full Application (anticipated):** June 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum award:** $600,000 total (including indirect costs) over up to 3 years. - **Indirect costs:** Capped at 30% of direct costs (excluding equipment and subcontracts). - **Typical awards:** 1–2 per cycle, following a competitive review process. --- ## Eligibility - **Career stage:** Early career scientists at the Assistant Professor (USA), University Lecturer (UK), or equivalent level. - **Appointment:** Must be in a permanent, ongoing academic or research position (not a fixed-term contract) at the time of preliminary application. - **Time in position:** Cannot have held the eligible position for more than 5 years (60 months) as of the preliminary application due date. Time away for parental or medical leave may be excluded. - **Degree:** Applicants must hold a PhD, ScD, MD, DVM, DrPH, or equivalent. - **Nationality:** Open to scientists of any nationality, residing anywhere in the world. - **Institutional support:** Evidence that the host institution is committed to supporting the applicant’s path to independence is required. - **Other:** Tenure-track status is not required. Full applications are by invitation only. --- ## Application Process ### Step 1: Preliminary Application - **What to submit:** A 5-page preliminary application describing the research idea, significance, feasibility, investigator qualifications, and a biosketch (no letters of support required at this stage). - **Submission:** Email materials to [funding@healtheffects.org](mailto:funding@healtheffects.org). - **Forms and instructions:** See [Preliminary Application Form](https://www.healtheffects.org/system/files/hei-preliminary-application-form-mar-2025.docx) and [Application Instructions](https://www.healtheffects.org/system/files/application-instructions-mar-2025_0.pdf). - **Review:** The HEI Research Committee reviews preliminary applications and invites selected applicants to submit a full application. ### Step 2: Full Application (by invitation only) - **What to submit:** A detailed proposal, cover letter (max 2 pages), biosketches for applicant and mentors, mentoring plan, letters of support from mentors, and a letter indicating institutional support. - **Budget:** Must not exceed $600,000 total (including indirect costs). - **Statistical plan:** Involvement of a (bio)statistician is required in study design and analysis. - **Submission:** Email to [funding@healtheffects.org](mailto:funding@healtheffects.org). - **Forms:** [Full Application Form](https://www.healtheffects.org/system/files/hei-full-application-form-mar-2025.docx). --- ## Additional Information - **Research topics:** Projects must be relevant to air pollution and health; areas of interest include climate, air quality, transportation, environmental justice, and more. - **Mentorship:** Applicants are encouraged to have one or more mentors; mentors need not be at the same institution. - **Use of funds:** Funds may support the applicant’s salary, staff (postdocs, students, technicians), project support, equipment, and supplies. Salaries for co-investigators or mentors are not allowed. - **Award process:** Preliminary applications are screened; only selected applicants are invited to submit full proposals. Typically, 3–5 full applications are invited, with 1–2 awards made per cycle. - **Institutional commitment:** A letter indicating long-term support for the applicant’s career development is required. - **Annual conference:** Awardees are expected to attend and present at the HEI Annual Conference. --- ## External Links - [HEI RFA 24-3: Rosenblith New Investigator Award Program Page](https://www.healtheffects.org/rfa/rfa-24-3-walter-rosenblith-new-investigator-award) - [Rosenblith Award Overview and Past Winners](https://www.healtheffects.org/research/funding/rosenblith-award) - [Application Instructions and Forms](https://www.healtheffects.org/research/funding/application-instructions) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.healtheffects.org/faqs) - [Webinar Slides for Applicants](https://www.healtheffects.org/sites/default/files/media/webinar-rfa-24-3-applicants.pdf) - [Rosenblith Award 1-Pager](https://www.healtheffects.org/file/rosenblith-1-pager) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | More Info | |--------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|----------------------| | Dr. Dan Crouse | [dcrouse@healtheffects.org](mailto:dcrouse@healtheffects.org) | +1 617-488-2300 | [HEI Contact Page](https://www.healtheffects.org/contact) | ---

RFA 24-3: Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award

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