Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is inviting applications for grants related to Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (ERCs). These ERCs play a vital role in fulfilling NIOSH's mandate by delivering the adequate personnel to support the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

ERCs are essentially academic institutions that specialize in high-quality interdisciplinary graduate and post-graduate training, research and outreach in the Occupational Safety and Health sector. This includes industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, occupational medicine, and safety. They also actively conduct research on prominent issues and emerging topics in order to propel the field forward. This ongoing research is in line with the NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

Playing a key part in aiding prominence and diversity in the occupational safety and health profession, each NIOSH ERC has a regional presence. A cornerstone of their operation involves collaborating with significant stakeholders like worker advocacy groups, professional associations, industries, businesses, and public health agencies. Through these partnerships, ERCs cultivate vital resources for improving the health, safety, and well-being of the national workforce.

Furthermore, ERCs foster partnerships with other institutions and organizations; particularly those that serve minority populations and other NIOSH-supported training programs, with an end-goal of bettering worker health and safety. This unique combination of education, research, and outreach means that not only are ERCs a tool for academic development, but they are a leading resource in their field for continuing education and industry collaboration.