Health Effects Institute: Air pollution and COVID-19 Health Outcomes Research Grant

Award Amount: $250,000 - $500,000
Application Due Date: Letter of Intent Due June 8, 2020

Health Effects Institute is accepting applications for research on novel and important aspects of the intersection of exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 health outcomes. Applicants will be asked to submit a detailed letter of intent, followed by an invited full application, using an expedited application review process. HEI is particularly interested in applications that address the following questions:

(1) Accountability research: What are the effects of the unprecedented interventions taken to control the COVID-19 pandemic on emissions, air pollution, and human health?

(2) Susceptibility factors: Are individuals/populations who have been chronically or acutely exposed to higher levels of air pollution at greater risk of mortality from COVID-19 compared to those exposed to lower levels of air pollution? Do the effects differ by race/ethnicity or by measures of socioeconomic status?

HEI requires applicants to send a two- or three-page Letters of Intent to provide information on the likely response to the RFA and to organize the application review process. It should include a synopsis of the project and study objectives, indicating the hypotheses to be addressed, qualifications of the team listing key members of the research team and their roles in the project, a list of all participating institutions, and access to relevant data (if applicable). An estimated total budget and study duration should be provided, choosing from the 2 options provided (i.e., a one-year or two-year study). A template is provided below. 

In addition, brief biosketches (maximum 2 pages per person) of the principal investigator and key co-investigator(s) should be provided. Applicants can use HEI form F-8 or another format, as long as each biosketch is no longer than 2 pages. The letter and biosketches should be turned into a combined PDF before submitting. Confidential or proprietary information on methodologic details should not be included in the Letter of Intent.

Link to Complete RFP

If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Lynn Wong or Gwen Allouch with the Office of Advancement.