The primary purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit meritorious applications for continuing and expanding state* occupational safety and health surveillance programs (*henceforth referred to as “states;” see Section III for Eligibility Information), with the goal

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of improving OSH surveillance across the US.

NIOSH supports the use of existing surveillance data and the collection of new surveillance data to better define the current health of the state’s workforce, target relevant worker populations at risk, develop relevant interventions, and initiate and enhance partnerships within, and beyond, the state’s surveillance community.

NIOSH also supports the advancement of state surveillance systems to enable the future use of new or newly emerging electronic surveillance data sources and to participate in the development of the data sources and data exchange methods.

NIOSH strongly encourages state surveillance programs to engage directly in activities and initiatives related to the collection, exchange, and use of electronic health data.

States are expected to be innovative in the dissemination and communication of products that they develop.

Whenever possible, communication products must inform measurable surveillance data findings and related public health actions that include recommendations for prevention, interventions, policies, and communications that advance the integration of proven health and safety strategies into targeted workplaces by organizations both within and outside of traditional occupational health.

A key goal is to build partnerships among surveillance programs and health agencies, and other organizations and stakeholders that engage in occupational safety and health surveillance or can be leveraged to further surveillance.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include collaborations that focus on related issues when interests and activities align with other CDC-funded programs.

Applicants are equally encouraged to propose collaborations with key organizations including universities, state or federal groups such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers’ compensation carriers, and others involved in surveillance, including employers and employers’ groups to strengthen and enhance the impacts of their activities.

Applicants may also consider collaborating with government and public sector organizations (such as Tribal Nations and the Department of Transportation) that are not typically associated with occupational safety and health surveillance but whose programs may impact worker safety and health.

Finally, applicants should strongly consider or continue collaborations with other NIOSH funded research Centers such as Education and Research Centers (ERCs), Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health (Ag Centers), Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®, and Training Project Grants.

Such relationships, once established, may also benefit recipients by further enhancing their activities.

These programs are described in greater detail on the NIOSH OEP Web site.