Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety ResearchCooperative Agreement (U01) | RFA OH 20 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OH 20 002

The Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research Cooperative Agreement (U01) is a federal funding opportunity designed to support practical, safety-focused research that reduces injuries and deaths in the US commercial fishing industry. The program was authorized by the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281) and later updated through the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-281). Its core purpose is to fund research and development efforts that can be applied in real fishing operations to improve occupational safety for crews working in one of the nation’s most hazardous industries.

This opportunity is administered through the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Although the US Coast Guard and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have regulatory and oversight roles related to maritime and workplace safety, NIOSH’s role is research-driven: generating evidence, developing prevention methods, producing authoritative recommendations, and translating scientific findings into tools and guidance that can be adopted by industry. A Memorandum of Understanding signed on May 17, 2018, between the Coast Guard and NIOSH formalized cooperation to support and administer this grant program, reflecting the shared goal of moving safety improvements from research into day-to-day practice on vessels and in fishing communities.

The research topics emphasized by the announcement focus on high-impact areas where engineering, technology, and operational improvements can prevent incidents or improve survival outcomes when emergencies occur. Examples of supported areas include improvements to vessel design (which can affect stability, onboard workflow, and overall hazard exposure), development or enhancement of emergency and survival equipment (such as lifesaving systems that work reliably in harsh marine conditions), and upgrades to vessel monitoring systems that can help track vessel status and improve situational awareness. The opportunity also highlights the need for better communication devices, more effective deicing technology (critical for stability and safety in cold regions), and improved severe weather detection capabilities that can support safer decision-making before and during trips.

As a cooperative agreement (U01), the funding mechanism signals that the sponsor expects substantial involvement from the federal side during the life of the project, rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. In practice, this often means closer collaboration with NIOSH on planning, progress, and dissemination so that findings are more likely to be translated into guidance, interventions, or products that can be used by fishermen, vessel owners, trainers, equipment manufacturers, and safety partners such as the Coast Guard.

Eligibility is broadly framed to attract applicants with the right expertise and connections to the fishing and maritime environment. The opportunity is intended for individuals in academia, members of non-profit organizations, businesses involved in fishing and maritime matters, and other qualified entities with demonstrated expertise in commercial fishing safety. This broad eligibility reflects the applied nature of the work: meaningful safety progress often requires partnerships between researchers and end users, including crews and operators, as well as organizations positioned to pilot, test, manufacture, or distribute safety solutions.

The opportunity details in the source information identify it as Funding Opportunity Number RFA OH 20 002 under CFDA 93.262, categorized as discretionary funding in the health activity area. The posting was created on December 3, 2019, with an original closing date of January 21, 2020. The award ceiling is listed as $650,000, and the agency anticipated making about 10 awards. Overall, the program is structured to build on NIOSH’s long track record of collaborating with fishermen, industry, and the US Coast Guard to understand risk factors in commercial fishing and to implement interventions that measurably reduce fatalities, injuries, and near-miss events.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety ResearchCooperative Agreement (U01)" 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 Dec 03, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 21, 2020. (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 $650,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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