HICAHS Emerging Issues Grants

HICAHS Emerging Issues Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS)
Last Updated: February 09, 2026

Summary

The HICAHS Emerging Issues Grants support innovative research addressing urgent agricultural health and safety concerns. Funded by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, these grants prioritize projects that tackle emerging health risks, including climate change impacts, infectious diseases, and mental health issues among agricultural workers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, enabling quick responses to pressing needs in the community. This initiative aims to enhance safety and resilience in the agricultural sector.

Overview

Note: Submit your application electronically in a single PDF file to the Program Lead, Center Coordinator. We will conduct rolling rapid reviews of proposals and can provide a more specific decision timeline when an application is submitted. Emerging Issues Grant Program In accordance with its mission, the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS) offers funding to support projects in agricultural health and safety research. As one of several Agricultural Safety and Health Centers funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), HICAHS has established a program to support Emerging Issues Projects. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Emerging issues are defined as health risks that are new or have rapidly expanding impact in the immediate or near future. The Emerging Issues Program is designed to provide a structure to identify issues of high priority for regional producers and the flexibility for HICAHS to respond rapidly. All funds for emerging issues will be used to address priorities identified by HICAHS constituents including producers, Extension Agents, the HICAHS External Advisory Board, and other Agricultural and Forestry partners in the High Plains Intermountain Region. Projects and use of funds may vary depending on the need and availability. Recent past examples of Emerging Issues include: rapid response to developing and communicating information on appropriate PPE and work practices for bird flu; Ebola virus in the High Plains Intermountain region and nationally; assessment of worker perceptions of health and safety risk in beetle-killed forests; development of dairy stockmanship videos for a mobile employee training tool; Total Worker Health™ approaches for agricultural businesses; and development of approaches to evaluate economic aspects (cost-benefit) and impacts of our programs. Current “Emerging Issues” Priorities 2024-25 Proposed projects should address at least one of the priorities listed below: Extreme weather/climate change, particularly heat stress & illness prevention, wildfire smoke and ash inhalation Infectious diseases, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza One Health (Interconnections between animal, environmental, and human health) Labor issues, particularly labor shortages and high turnover Robotics, automation, & artificial intelligence Silica exposures Hearing conservation Land-based fish production/aquaculture Issues related to youth on the farm Mental health Substance use Distracted machinery operation Musculoskeletal disorders Additional topics will be considered, given justification for the topic as an emerging issue in the HICAHS region.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants from Colorado State University (including Extension Services and Satellite locations) requires full OSP review for all proposals from CSU Principal Investigators prior to submitting an application and must be entered into the Kuali Research Proposal Development system. Applicants from affiliate organizations are strongly encouraged to work with their sponsored programs office at their institution to meet all pre-application requirements specific to their organization.Allowable expenses include all relevant project expenses including:Salary for key personnel, graduate students, and other support staff is allowed. Salary payment to faculty mentors is limited to 5% of a 12-month equivalent salary plus fringe benefits.Supplies and small specialized equipment (under $5,000).  Domestic travel necessary to conduct the research. Equipment purchased for the project becomes the property of the university sponsoring the principal investigator.Indirect costs are allowed and capped at 8%.Proof of Human Subjects (or Animal Care) Institutional Review Board approval, if applicable, is required before funds will be disbursed.

Ineligibility

Disallowed expensesIndirect costs >8%Faculty mentor salary >5% of a 12-month equivalent salary plus fringe benefits.Technical conference travel.Routine clerical assistance.