Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program (ECHO) intends to promote an ongoing initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for support of doctoral candidates studying high-priority areas of maternal and child health in the completion of their doctoral dissertation research. This NOFO seeks to advance research in maternal and child health by stimulating the use of ECHO Cohort data by doctoral students in relevant scientific areas. This RFA will provide opportunities for dissertation students to study early environmental exposures and child health outcomes through the analysis of ECHO’s large longitudinal data set within the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. ECHO’s DASH dataset integrates de-identified longitudinal data from more than 71,000 maternal and child participants across the U.S. The data include prenatal and child environmental exposures of many kinds, and five primary pediatric outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airway outcomes; obesity and its consequences; neurodevelopment; and positive health. This award will facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of early environmental exposures and child health research, enhancing the pool of highly talented researchers. Any doctoral candidate studying in the high-priority areas identified is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.