Rosenblith New Investigator Award

Purpose: Bring new, creative investigators into active research on the health effects of air pollution.

Award Details:

• Provides three years of funding for a small project
• Supports new investigators at Assistant Professor or equivalent level with outstanding promise
• Funding cap: up to $450,000
• Typically supports 1 or 2 studies per year, depending on available funding and quality of applications

Focus Areas:

• Innovative science
• Career building
• Institutional commitment
• Mentoring
• Bringing people into the field of air pollution and health
• Projects relevant to HEI's research interests (air pollution health effects)

Eligibility:

• Assistant Professor or equivalent level
• New investigators with outstanding promise
• All applicants should contact HEI to verify eligibility before applying
• Principal Investigator may not be a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher
• Co-investigators are not allowed, but junior personnel are allowed
• Mentors should be listed on application

Geographic Scope: International (demonstrated by awardees from Denmark, Spain, UK, USA, and Canada)

About the Award: Named for Professor Walter A. Rosenblith (1913-2002), first Chair of HEI's Research Committee (1980-1989) and Board member (1990-1996). The award reflects Professor Rosenblith's vision of science and excellence, supporting activities to attract new talent and bring fresh tools and ideas to environmental health questions.

Evaluation Process: Considers applicant qualifications and background, quality and relevance of research proposal, and research environment. HEI expects to provide one or more awards per year depending on funding and application quality.

RFA Posting Schedule: Posted annually in November/December

Location: Health Effects Institute, One Beacon Street, Suite 21300, Boston, MA 02108

Application Process

Two-Stage Application:

Part 1: Preliminary Application

1. Submission Format:
   • Use HEI Preliminary Application Form
   • Combine all materials into single PDF (max 10MB)
   • File naming: "PI lastname firstname RFA xx-x Preliminary Application"
   • Submit online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X79G9Q5
2. Page Limits and Format:
   • Maximum 5 pages (11-point font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced)
   • Including cover material
   • Excluding references, biosketches, and supporting letters
   • Longer applications will be rejected
   • Convert to PDF before submitting
3. Required Content:
   • Cover Page: Title, contact information
   • Plain Language Summary (max 150 words): Purpose of study, population(s) to be studied, datasets and approaches
   • Study Description:
   • Scientific background and rationale
   • Hypothesis and study aims
   • Preliminary or relevant data from previous studies
   • Study design and methods
   • Statistical analyses
   • Anticipated results
   • Novelty of proposed approach
   • How study addresses RFA objectives
   • Community Engagement Plan (if applicable, additional ½ page):
   • Community stakeholders to engage
   • General approach to engagement
   • Integration of community stakeholders
   • How engagement will benefit research and community
   • Letter of Collaboration required for high-level engagement (sampling within community or partnerships)
   • Qualifications of Investigator(s):
   • Explain how team is uniquely positioned
   • Specify expertise and experience of anticipated collaborators
   • How collaborators will contribute to design, conduct, data analysis, and interpretation
   • Highlight relevant experience with study design, data collection methods (field work), and community engagement
   • Biographical Sketches:
   • Include biosketches of principal investigator and…