The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health (GPCAH) funds pilot projects (up to $30,000 per project) intended to promote innovative outreach and research efforts to prevent agricultural injury and illness. The pilot program supports both community-based organizations and academic researchers, especially new investigators and trainees. Proposals addressing mental health, chemical safety, equipment/tool safety, and prevention of slips, trips, and falls are especially encouraged in the 2026-27 application cycle. However, any topic of relevance to the GPCAH mission and/or NIOSH priority goals for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing industry sector is welcome.

April 1, 2026: Community concept project due

8 AM on June 8, 2026: Deadline for both academic and community-track applications

Learn more about GPCAH Pilot Grants here: https://bit.ly/2024GPCAHpg

Questions? Send an email jennifer-j-patterson@uiowa.edu

GPCAH Pilot Programs Announce RFA for Academic and Community-Track Awards

The GPCAH Pilot Program offers two funding tracks (see below) and supports both community-based organizations and academic researchers, especially new investigators and trainees, and encourages applications from those newly interested in agricultural health and safety research. We support research projects that address occupational hazards relevant to farmers and farm workers in our nine-state region (IA, IL, IN, KS, NE, MO, MN, OH, & WI).  Each project may be funded up to $30,000 (direct costs). Proposals addressing mental health, chemical safety, equipment/tool safety, and prevention of slips, trips, and falls are especially encouraged in the 2026 application cycle. However, any topic of relevance to the GPCAH mission and/or NIOSH priority goals for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing industry sector is welcome.

Academic/scholarly research pilot grants

Potential recipients include students, staff, and faculty of academic institutions who are creating new agricultural safety and health knowledge and/or assessing and promoting best safety and health practices. Basic and applied research projects will be reviewed for scientific merit. Proposals are due at 8 AM CST on June 8, 2026. Learn more and view the Academic Track Request for Proposals (RFP) here.

Community outreach/education pilot grants

Potential grantees are typically staff members of community-based entities who will develop and deliver evidence-based agricultural health outreach programs. Projects will be reviewed for feasibility, impact, and ability to test innovative outreach/education methods. Project concepts are due on April 1, 2026. Proposals are due at 8 AM CST on June 8, 2026. Learn more and view the Community Track Request for Proposals (RFP) here.

Thank you for your help and please reach out to me at jennifer-j-patterson@uiowa.edu with any questions!