On May 6, 2026, ECHO will host the second annual ECHO Translating Science to Action Symposium, a hybrid event that this year focuses on plastics and air quality, highlighting how evidence on these widespread exposures can inform programs, policy, and practice. This free event will bring together researchers, policymakers, health professionals, and advocates to examine how chemical exposures affect child health and development and how science is being translated into meaningful action.

This is a hybrid event, with a robust in-person experience designed to support connection and collaboration. Attendees joining onsite will have the opportunity to engage and network at interactive information stations hosted by researchers, advocates, professional organizations, and community partners.

For additional information and registration options please visit the Event website.

The NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is pleased to announce that it has made 19 awards totaling over $13 million for FY 2026 for the ECHO Institutional Development Award (IDeA) States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN).

These awards support institutions located in 18 IDeA eligible states to serve as Clinical Sites and a Data Coordinating and Operations Center (DCOC) for the ISPCTN.

Each Clinical Site will:

• Develop, conduct, and disseminate findings from multicenter pediatric clinical trials that ensure the participation of children living in rural or underserved communities in IDeA states;
• Build pediatric clinical trial research capacity within these IDeA states;
• Engage communities, nonprofit organizations, and professional societies to enhance clinical trial impact, transferability, rigor, and feasibility.

The DCOC will serve as the central hub for the ISPCTN, providing essential leadership and infrastructure for the network.

The Program Office congratulates these awardees and looks forward to collaborating with them as they conduct multicenter pediatric clinical trials across ECHO’s five outcome areas—pre, peri, and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airways; obesity; neurodevelopment; and positive health.

ECHO funded these awards after a competitive peer review process. View a list of awardees.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

The NIH ECHO Program is pleased to announce its first annual ECHO Symposium: Translating Science to Action on September 15, 2025 at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The goals of the symposium are to disseminate child health research and inform programs, policies, and practices to enhance child health. The event will bring together professional societies, advocacy organizations, federal partners, Congress, state and local government, research community, and ECHO participants. The symposium will be a free, one-day, hybrid event focusing on early influences on child health outcomes and will feature ECHO investigators as well as speakers from research institutions, think tanks, other relevant organizations, end users of ECHO research, and participants.

For additional information and registration options please visit the Event website.

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program Office has announced its intent to publish two Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) inviting applications from postdoctoral fellows and dissertation students to study early environmental exposures and child health outcomes through the analysis of ECHO’s large longitudinal data set within the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository.

The Program Office will not accept applications submitted before publication of the Notices of Funding Opportunity expected in December 2024.

The two notices of intent may be found here:

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32)

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity for Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Dissertation Grant (R36)

The ECHO Cohort is the observational component of the ECHO Program and supports its overall mission to enhance the health of children for generations to come. The ECHO Cohort dataset on DASH integrates de-identified longitudinal data from more than 63,000 participants across the U.S. The data include prenatal and child exposures of many kinds, and five primary pediatric outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal health, upper and lower airway health, obesity, neurodevelopment, and positive health.

Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH’s Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019. See also Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031.

Applications are not being solicited at this time.

Please direct all inquiries to:

Clay Mash, PhD
Program Officer
Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)
Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health
Three White Flint North, Room 03D17
11601 Landsdown Street
North Bethesda, MD 20852

Phone: 301-655-3272
mashc@mail.nih.gov

APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED

This position is for a Health Science Policy Analyst in the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program Office, Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The ECHO Program is an extramural program within the Office of The Director of the NIH. Launched in 2016, ECHO aims to enhance the health of children for generations to come. ECHO investigators study the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. The program consists of ongoing observational studies and a pediatric clinical trials network. Research conducted through ECHO focuses on five key pediatric outcomes that have a high public health impact: pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airway health; obesity; neurodevelopment; and positive health, such as happiness and a sense of wellbeing.

The incumbent Health Science Policy Analyst would be responsible for analyzing and monitoring developments in several areas of science as they affect ECHO research, policies, and legislation, and for furnishing policy guidance and assistance regarding science policy issues, as required to appropriate Institute, NIH, and DHHS staff, and consulting with them regarding any of the many issues relevant to pediatric environmental health research activities. The ability to function independently, conceptualize and develop policy documents, conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis, translate scientific information into lay language for various audiences, and contribute to strategic planning documents is essential.

Interested candidates should apply using the following USAJobs links and contact Dr. Erin Luetkemeier at erin.luetkemeier@nih.gov.

• Health Science Policy Analyst GS-0601-12/13 USAJOBS – Job Announcement
  • Announcement Type: Merit Promotion (Government-Wide)
  • Locations: Montgomery County, MD
  • Open: 7/29 to 08/07

•  Health Science Policy Analyst GS-0601-12/13 USAJOBS – Job Announcement
  • Announcement Type: Delegated Examining (Open to the Public)
  • Locations: Montgomery County, MD
  • Open: 7/29 to 08/07

The NIH ECHO grants announced below aim to advance research in high-priority areas of child health by stimulating the use of ECHO Cohort data by dissertation students and postdoctoral fellows. The awards provide students and fellows the opportunity to study child health outcomes through the analysis of ECHO’s large longitudinal data sets in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) repository. The awards will facilitate entry of promising new investigators into the field of early environmental exposures and child health research.

The opportunities, titled “Maximizing the Scientific Value of Data Generated by the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program,” were announced in June 2023 and applications were reviewed in March 2024 by a Special Emphasis Panel convened by the NIH Center for Scientific Review. The 2- to 3-year awards provide students with stipends and funds for research-related costs.

For further information, contact Clay Mash.

• Charles Alvarado, Pennsylvania State University, Identifying neurocognitive correlates of reading impacted by adversity exposure
• Hannah Appleseth, Oklahoma State University, Tracing the impact of evolving environmental exposure to tobacco, cannabis, and nicotine smoke and vapor emissions on children’s mental health symptom trajectories
• Mia Campbell, Johns Hopkins University, Understanding longitudinal trajectories of environmental factors and depression among minoritized adolescents
• Jessie Gleason, Drexel University, Prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and associations with common childhood infections and allergies: A study of risks and resiliencies in the ECHO Program
• Mary Webb, University of Delaware, Influences of prenatal phthalate exposure on early childhood overweight/obesity and potentially protective dietary strategies
• Jiwon Oh, PhD, University of California at Davis, Prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and child neurodevelopmental disorders: Mediation by cytokines and DNA methylation

APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED

Are you interested in working in a collaborative environment that will enhance the health of children for generations to come? If so, then consider joining the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.

The ECHO Program, launched in 2016, is a nationwide program focused on children’s health. The ECHO Cohort comprises more than 64,000 children plus their family members, who are contributing data and biospecimens to advance our understanding of the roles of a broad range of early exposures from society to biology, on ECHO’s five key child health outcomes: pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airway health; obesity; neurodevelopment; and positive health. ECHO investigators have published more than 1500 papers.

From September 2023 through May 2030, the ECHO Cohort Consortium will follow more than 30,000 current ECHO Cohort child and adolescent participants and their families, while adding more than 30,000 new pregnant participants and their offspring. In addition, researchers will follow at least 10,000 women and, when available, their partners, to examine how preconception exposures may influence child health outcomes.

The ECHO Program Office is seeking to add a motivated and team-oriented Health Scientist Administrator. Candidates should have expertise to support activities related to observational epidemiologic studies and maternal and child health research. The incumbent will manage a portfolio of cooperative agreements and serve on several working groups/committees related to child health. This position requires working both independently and collaboratively. Strong organizational, oral, written, and communication skills are also required.

The ECHO Program Office is also seeking to add a motivated and team-oriented Supervisory Health Scientist Administrator. Applicants must possess a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree and have expertise related to observational epidemiologic studies and maternal and child health research. The incumbent will provide leadership and supervise an interdisciplinary team of Program Officials. The incumbent should also have strong knowledge of cooperative agreements and an understanding of NIH processes and procedures. The position requires strong leadership, organizational, written, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Interested candidates can apply through the links below. Please contact Dr. S. Sonia Arteaga at Sonia.arteaga@nih.gov with any questions.

Delegated Examining (Open to Public)

• Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer) GS-0601-12/13/14
• Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer) GS-0601-15
• Supervisory Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer) GS-0601-15

Merit Promotion (Open to Status Candidates)

• Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer) GS-0601-12/13/14
• Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer) GS-0601-15
• Supervisory Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer) GS-0601-15

THE DEADLINE FOR THIS RFI HAS PASSED

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program Office has released the following Request for Information:

• Request for information (RFI) on potential strategic priorities for the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program through 2029

In 2016, the NIH launched the nationwide ECHO Program. Its mission is to enhance the health of children for generations to come. To achieve this mission, ECHO investigators study the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on five key child health outcome areas with high public health impact: pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes; upper and lower airways; obesity; neurodevelopment; and positive health or well-being.

The ECHO Program supports both observational and intervention research. ECHO’s observational research allows investigators to follow children from preconception through adolescence to learn about the relationship between children’s environments and ECHO’s five health outcome areas. ECHO’s intervention research lets investigators test interventions, particularly among rural or underserved pediatric populations, to enhance children’s health in at least one of ECHO’s five health outcome areas.

This RFI seeks input from interested members of the public including but not limited to these communities:

• scientific research
• advocacy
• clinical practice

The NIH seeks input regarding considerations for ECHO’s strategic priorities through year 2029 for:

• Observational Research Priorities
• Intervention Research Priorities
• Operational and Capacity-building Priorities

NIH encourages respondents to address diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within each request.

Respondents can find additional context about each of the three requests, as well as information about how to respond, on the NIH website.

Responses must be received by 11:59 pm (ET) on Friday, May 31, 2024.

• Please direct all inquiries to: NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED

The NIH has released a Notice of Change (NOT) NOT-OD-24-094 for RFA-OD-24-009. This notice changes the application receipt date and the budget.

• The application receipt date has changed from April 15, 2024, to June 14, 2024.
• Award budget text has changed to reflect revisions to the Data Coordinating and Operations Center direct costs for Core Infrastructure Costs and capitation costs for Protocol-Specific Costs distributed to clinical sites.

Please see this webpage, which includes a revised pre-recorded webinar video and a revised Frequently Asked Questions document.

THE FUNDING APPLICATION DEADLINES HAVE PASSED

Funding Opportunities

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program Office has released the following Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs):

NOFOs and Notice of Change

Notice of Change to Due Date and Budget Information for RFA-OD-24-009 Data Coordinating and Operations Center for the ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network – 3 (U24 Clinical Trial Required—Infrastructure) (NOT-OD-24-094)

Clinical Sites for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network – 3 (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) (RFA-OD-24-008)

Data Coordinating and Operations Center for the ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network – 3 (U24 Clinical Trial Required—Infrastructure) (RFA-OD-24-009

ECHO is a program funded by the NIH to enhance the health of children for generations to come. ECHO’s Institutional Developmental Award (IDeA) States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN) conducts clinical trials in 18 states with historically low rates of NIH funding.

The Data Coordinating and Operations Center will support the Clinical Sites as they:

• Develop, conduct, and disseminate findings from multicenter clinical trials research, assuring the participation of children living in rural or underserved communities in IDeA states.
• Build pediatric clinical trial research capacity in IDeA states funded by the ECHO ISPCTN.
• Engage interested parties such as community members, nonprofit organizations, and professional societies to enhance ECHO ISPCTN clinical trial impact, transferability, rigor, and feasibility.

NIH encourages applications supporting candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups as described in the Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031).

Applications for RFA-OD-24-008 are due by April 15, 2024 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

Applications for RFA-OD-24-009 are due by June 14, 2024 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

If you have questions, please reach out to ECHO ISPCTN Program Officer Tonse Raju at tonse.raju@nih.gov.

Pre-Recorded Informational Webinars