Worker Training Program

Cooperative Agreements (U45) and (UH4)

NIH U45 and UH4 are cooperative agreement award mechanisms.

  • U45 – Funds agreements to develop model programs for the training and education of workers engaged in activities related to hazardous materials and waste generation, removal, containment, transportation, and emergency response.
  • UH4 – Funds agreements to develop, implement, and evaluate programs to train workers who are or may be engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal, containment, or emergency response at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons complex. UH4 is the single project equivalent to the U45.

Both the Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training cooperative agreements (U45) and the HAZMAT Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex cooperative agreements (UH4) are solicited and awards made in response to Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs). Visit the NIEHS Announcements of Grant Opportunities webpage for information on current FOAs.

Cooperative agreements U45 and UH4 are "assistance" mechanisms in which substantial NIH scientific and/or programmatic involvement with the awardee is anticipated during performance of the activity. Under the agreements, NIH/NIEHS supports and/or stimulates the recipient's activity by being involved in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipient in a partner role, but it does not assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activity. The primary responsibility for the activity resides with the awardee(s) for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities in carrying out training activities will be shared among the awardees and the NIEHS program coordinator.

Under both the U45 and UH4 mechanisms, the principal investigator/program director (PI/PD) retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with NIEHS staff being substantially involved as a partner with the PI/PD. The awardee will have lead responsibilities in all aspects of the program, including any technical modifications to the curriculum, conduct of the training, and quality control.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants (R43/R44)

Through the Small Business Programs (SBIR/STTR) the NIEHS Worker Training Program funds research projects that further the development of e-learning products that support:

  • Health and safety training of hazardous materials workers, emergency responders, and skilled support personnel.
  • Community and citizen preparation and resiliency.
  • Research into the acute and long-term health effects of environmental disasters.

SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response grants (R43/R44) are solicited and awards made in response to FOAs. For more information on SBIR funding opportunities at NIEHS, visit the SBIR & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants webpage. Additional resources are available on the NIH SBIR/STTR Grants and Funding webpage.

To learn more about the SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT Program, please view the SBIR Fact Sheet (308KB)