The NIEHS proposes the continuation of the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) NOFO to address the broad, complex health and environmental issues that arise from hazardous waste sites. SRP Center grants support problem-based, solution-oriented research Centers that consist of multiple, integrated projects representing both the biomedical and environmental science disciplines. The Center cores are also tasked with administrative (which includes Center’s leadership, data management and analysis, and training functions) and translational research and engagement, and as applicable, research support functions.

The most recent RFA was released April 17, 2023, and the application deadline will be October 2, 2023. For materials related to RFA-ES-23-001, please see the following links:

• Past RFA-ES-23-001: Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42 Clinical Trial Optional) (expired)
• Past Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (expired) (1MB): SRP staff will gather and post FAQs throughout the duration of the release of RFA-ES-23-001 until the application due date of October 2, 2023. Please check here for updates.
• Examples of Tables for RFA-ES-23-001 (expired) (931KB)
• Past Suggested Research and Activities (expired) (1MB)
• Program Contacts
• SRP held a Funding Opportunity Webinar on May 15, 2023, 12-2 p.m. ET to provide more information about RFA-ES-23-001. For more information, please see the recorded archive on EPA's CLU-IN Training & Events Webpage.

Tips for Applicants

The following links provide information for Superfund Research Program Center (P42) applicants to assist in putting together a P42 application.

Electronic Application Process

The SRP P42 is part of the multi-project application process facilitated by the Application Submission System & Interface for Submission Tracking (ASSIST). ASSIST aids the applicant with the electronic preparation and submission of multi-project applications through Grants.gov to NIH. Applications to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) must be submitted electronically; paper applications will not be accepted. ASSIST provides many features to enable electronic multi-project application submission and improve data quality, including pre-population of organization and PD/PI data, pre-submission validation of many agency business rules, and generation of data summaries in the application image used for review.

Need help with ASSIST? Please visit NIH’s Applying Electronically webpage.

Applicants also should refer to the NIH Office of Extramural Research SF424 (R&R) Application Guide webpage for additional guidelines to prepare these complex multi-project/core applications.

The SBIR and STTR programs were reauthorized on April 13, 2026. Currently, NIH has no active SBIR or STTR Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). Future NOFOs are forecasted at Grants.gov prior to opening for applications with anticipated NOFO release of June 1, 2026 and an anticipated due date of September 5, 2026.

Please see the relevant links below: 

NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional)
Number: PA-27-102
NIH, CDC and FDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Optional)
Number: PA-27-100
SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional)
Number: PAR-27-098

The information below pertains to the prior NOFOs and is provided here for reference only. Please contact Heather Henry ([email protected] or 984-287-3268) for further inquiries.

Hazardous Substances Remediation and Site Characterization SBIR Program

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) "Hazardous Substances Remediation and Detection Program" supports Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR R43, R44) to foster the commercialization of novel, cost-competitive technologies, products, and devices for remediation and detection of hazardous substances in the environment. The SRP is specifically interested in proposals applying new engineering, materials science, and biotechnology approaches. In addition, applicants are encouraged to develop sustainable strategies such as offering a low carbon footprint, reduced energy consumption, utilization of renewable energy sources, resilience to weather extremes, and reuse / regeneration capabilities.

The SRP SBIR grants are made under the NIEHS Omnibus Solicitation. In most cases, the specific Parent Announcement is the “PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)” PA-24-245. If interested in applying, please contact Heather Henry at [email protected] or 984-287-3268.

To learn more about SBIR funding opportunities, please see a recorded archive of the SBIR/STTR Funding Opportunities for Water Nanotechnologies webinar, held August 25, 2022.

Eligibility: Any accredited institution of higher education engaged in biomedical research and/or engineering and ecological research. SBIR awards are restricted to small business that meet NIH's criteria for SBC. Tribal entities that meet these requirements are eligible to apply.

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate that the proposed research is relevant to Superfund. Per program mandates described in the Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act (SARA), SRP does not accept applications targeting petroleum oil or gas site characterization/remediation. Preference for:

• Applications demonstrating integration of 2 or more of the SRP mandate areas, particularly between biomedical and environmental science and engineering;
• Applications with relevance to Superfund or other sites with hazardous substances (e.g., point-source pollution);
• Applications that fill gaps not already covered in SRP currently funded research grants.

Please note: the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) "Hazardous Substances Remediation and Site Characterization Small Business Innovation Research Program" no longer accepts Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (STTR: R41, R42) applications. Funding decisions will be made based on programmatic need with an emphasis on novel technologies distinct from current or recently-funded SBIR grantees that are applicable to Superfund and/or other sites impacted by hazardous substances.

Annual Application Receipt Dates are January 5, April 5, and September 5; however, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications several days in advance of the deadline.

Please see the NIH SBIR webpage for application information or visit the NIEHS SBIR webpage for other SBIR opportunities within NIEHS.

For the SRP, topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Remediation

• Novel technologies for in situ remediation of contaminated sediments, soils, and groundwater with testing/modeling to optimize product for long-term stability.
• Innovative bioremediation technologies including development and culturing/propagation of plants, bacterial strains, or fungal species for implementing bioremediation.
• Technologies to remediate chemical mixtures in environmental media.
• New strategies for delivery of reagents/amendments for groundwater remediation and/or recovery/extraction of contaminants in groundwater.
• New amendments to stabilize contaminants and/or to stabilize caps for soil and sediment remediation.
• New technologies and strategies to cleanup large complex sites with multiple sources.
• Resilient novel remediation approaches capable of withstanding disasters such as: fire, flooding/groundwater level fluctuation, land use changes, and other catastrophic events.
• Sustainable, energy efficient approaches with a net lifecycle benefit such as net zero emission technologies; technologies that reduce waste generation; processes that recycle/reuse/regenerate active components; long-term remediation approaches equipped with solar or wind energy.

Detection Technologies

• Machine learning, computational, geographical information system-based, or modeling products for predicting fate and transport of contaminants, rates of remediation, bioavailability, or for identifying contamination sources.
• Real-time, field deployable, on-site analysis: soil, surface water, groundwater, subsurface, sediments, air (such as volatile releases from sites), including:
  • rapid, portable monitoring and screening of contaminants
  • multi-analyte sampling
  • remote monitoring/data capture/data processing capabilities such as time-integrated and/or repeated measures
• Accurate and reliable new passive sampler devices.
• Products that allow for rapid sample clean-up/preparation for analysis of environmental samples and/or technologies for rapid extraction or processing of soil for incremental sampling methodologies (ISM).
• Non-targeted or multi-analyte field sampling devices or kits, including sample collection products that can sequester a suite of analytes for later analysis.
• Novel techniques, sensors, and field analytical methods and real-time mapping/data visualization for development of subsurface conceptual site models.
• Innovative tracer technologies for tracking contaminant migration/pathways.

Examples of remediation and detection technology needs:

• Vapor Intrusion: Improved technologies for predicting/anticipating time-periods for occurrence of reasonable maximum indoor exposure(s) in impacted buildings, during which sampling is recommended.
• PFAS: Soil, sediment, and groundwater remediation technologies for mixtures and degradation byproducts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); including technologies for complete PFAS destruction; sustainable solutions with low energy input and/or minimal secondary waste generation; and/or PFAS removal technologies for heterogenous water chemistries; rapid sensors to aid in site monitoring and/or prioritizing site sampling protocols.
  • Novel, sustainable, nontoxic chemistries or processes to aid regeneration, reuse, and/or reactivation of spent treatment residues (e.g., from granular activated carbon).
  • Development of adsorption and concentration materials to reduce the volume of material to be treated and/or to further concentrate the waste stream generated from standard treatment technologies (e.g., granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis) as part of a “treatment train.”
  • Development of polishing treatments tailored for specific PFAS (e.g., shorter chain, emerging PFAS replacements).
  • Development of novel catalysts or other additives to lower needed temperature for complete thermal destruction.
  • Development of novel air pollution control technologies as a polishing step to reduce emissions from PFAS management or treatment facilities (e.g., thermal destruction, air sparging, Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), hazardous waste landfill facilities, etc.).
  • Development of novel materials or processes for solid waste and/or biosolids treatment and/or stabilization.
• Mining: Active or passive remediation technologies for mining influenced water; technologies to mitigate effects from acid drainage; portable neutralization treatment systems; strategies to target remediation of sources such as mining waste piles; and separation technologies that remove of elements or compounds of concern from water and/or reclaim potentially valuable critical elements dissolved in contaminated fluids.
• Complex Site/Geology:
  • Site characterization techniques and strategies for complex geology (fractured bedrock, karst, and heterogeneous layered deposits) including understanding the fate of contaminants within rock matrices and properties that affect back diffusion.
  • Improved technologies for treating low permeability and heterogeneous lithology, including amendment delivery methods.
  • Devices to detect and measure non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in the subsurface.
  • In-well real-time and/or continuous monitoring tools to assess the efficacy of remediation; presence/absence of key factors required for remediation (e.g., biological, geological, chemical); and/or to identify rebound events.
  • Robotic sampling for highly contaminated / remote sites.
• Disaster Response: Technologies for measuring/treating environmental contamination as part of a disaster response effort.

For more information, contact Heather Henry at [email protected] or 984-287-3268.

Superfund Research Program Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13) - SRP supports investigator-initiated scientific meetings that advance the field of environmental health science related to the mission of SRP. The SRP participates in PA-16-294: NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). SRP broadens the scientific scope of the current NIEHS R13 program to include non-biomedical environmental science topics reflected in the SRP mandates.

For more information, please see NOT-ES-12-006. Application receipt dates are April 12, August 12, and December 12. Instructions for applying may be found on the NIEHS R13/U13 webpage. Please direct any questions to Brittany Trottier at [email protected] or 984-287-3331.