NIOSH Underground Mine Evacuation Technologies and Human Factors Research | RFA OH 25 183

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OH 25 183

The NIOSH Underground Mine Evacuation Technologies and Human Factors Research opportunity (RFA OH 25 183) is a CDC/NIOSH cooperative agreement meant to fund a focused, safety-driven research program that improves how miners survive and escape during underground emergencies. The grant is grounded in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006, and it is aimed squarely at advancing practical solutions that reduce deaths and injuries during events like fires, explosions, and other emergency conditions where evacuation becomes difficult, communication breaks down, and human decision-making is under extreme stress. The overall theme is not just developing new equipment, but also understanding the human factors that determine whether evacuation plans, training, and emergency tools actually work in real mine conditions.

The research priorities emphasize three core areas. First is the development of improved wireless communications for underground mines, including new devices and methodologies that can function reliably in environments where normal systems fail or where smoke, heat, structural damage, or power loss disrupts communications. Second is research that strengthens miner self-escape by creating or improving training approaches, decision-support systems, procedures, and other tools that help miners recognize hazards, choose correct evacuation actions, and navigate to safety under time pressure and limited visibility. Third is continued improvement of refuge alternatives, focusing on design and usability so these shelters are more effective and better aligned with how people behave and cope during emergencies. The notice also leaves room for related health and safety research tied to mine emergencies, especially issues linked to mine fires and explosions, as long as the work clearly supports emergency response and evacuation outcomes.

Eligibility is the most defining feature of this NOFO, because Congress intended the single award to go to a very specific kind of U.S. academic institution. To be eligible, the institution must offer an ABET-accredited undergraduate program in mining or mineral engineering under the Mining and Similarly Named Engineering Programs criteria, and it must also offer graduate degree programs in both mining and explosives engineering. Applicants are explicitly told to include documentation proving both the ABET-accredited undergraduate program and the two relevant graduate programs to establish eligibility. While the general eligibility list in the posting includes many organization types, the narrative makes it clear that the target applicant for this award is a qualified U.S. academic institution that meets those program requirements.

The program is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which generally signals more substantial federal involvement during the project period (for example, collaboration with NIOSH on technical direction, coordination, or dissemination). Funding is substantial, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000, and the opportunity anticipates making only one award, meaning the competition is effectively winner-take-all. The original closing date listed is February 24, 2025, and the funding activity is categorized under health (CFDA 93.262), reflecting NIOSHs workplace safety and health mission even though the work is engineering-heavy.

Applicants also have to pay close attention to submission rules that limit overlapping applications. Only one application per institution is allowed, and CDC/NIOSH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping proposals that are simultaneously under review. The NOFO spells out that they will not accept a new application submitted before the summary statement is issued for an overlapping new or resubmission, will not accept a resubmission filed before the prior review is complete, and will not accept an application that substantially overlaps with another application that is still pending appeal. In practice, this means institutions need to coordinate internally to avoid parallel submissions that cover the same aims, and they should treat this as a single, carefully scoped proposal that clearly differentiates itself from any other pending NIOSH applications.

Overall, the opportunity is designed to leverage the specialized expertise, graduate training pipeline, and facilities of a mining-and-explosives engineering university program to produce deployable improvements in underground mine emergency readiness. Competitive projects will typically connect engineering innovation (communications hardware, tracking, refuge systems, sensors, survivability improvements) with human factors research (training effectiveness, decision-making under stress, usability in smoke/low visibility, communication clarity, and behavioral responses during emergencies), with the end goal of measurably improving evacuation success and protecting miner lives.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIOSH Underground Mine Evacuation Technologies and Human Factors Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.262.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.

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