Pilot Projects

This grant supports scientific research projects and research-to-practice (R2P) initiatives that apply scientific knowledge in real-world situations, in occupational health and safety ​

• We fund approximately five grants per year.
• Grants are available for a maximum of $13,000 in direct costs, plus applicable indirect costs (defined in RFP), for a one-year project period.
• We accept projects that are categorized as one of the following:
  • Scientific research projects
  • Research-to-practice (r2p) projects
    

 

 

 

While we welcome proposals on any topic related to occupational health and safety, we encourage proposals focused on:

• Innovative ways to address the future of work
• Worker health and hazards such as extreme heat, drought, wildfires, etc
• Workplace emergency preparedness
• Mental health in the workplace
• Worker well-being
• Opioid and substance use disorders
• Small businesses
• Regional focus

Pilot grants will be awarded to investigators who fit into at least one of the following categories:

1) Graduate students and junior investigators (less than 7 years from terminal degree) from any discipline;

2) Investigators who have done research in a related discipline AND who have an interest in developing a future in an OSH and/or TWH discipline; or

3) Experienced investigators who seek to address innovative new research questions or develop innovative methods aimed to improve OSH and/or TWH research, translation, dissemination, or practice.

 

Finally, if you submit your project as an r2p project, it is strongly recommended that the application include at least one Research Partner and at least one Community Partner. You must include a signed letter of support from the participating partner.

We are not offering pilot funding for the 2025-2026 year.

Please contact Natalie.schwatka@cuanschutz.edu if you have questions about future opportunities.

Please contact Natalie Schwatka at Natalie.Schwatka@cuanschutz.edu with questions.​

Evaluating air pollutant levels in food trucks stratified by cuisine type, ventilation layout and cooking technique
To evaluate the levels of nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter 2.5, aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inside commercial food trucks during their operational hours. The project aims to provide estimates for baselines exposures in food trucks and inform future occupational health interventions to address these levels of exposure.

Addressing Newcomer Adjustment, Well-Being, and Safety through Organizational Support and Self-Determination Theory
This study will uncover how organizations socialize newcomers and the ways those practices impact safety behavior and compliance, and potentially reduce risk of occupational injury. Results can inform onboarding practices to increase the safety and well-being of new employees, those often at greater risk.

Examining Workplace Trauma and Moral Injury Amongst Healthcare Social Workers
This study seeks to better understand the prevalence of trauma exposure and the association between trauma and moral injury amongst healthcare social workers.

Development of an Alanine Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Neutron Dosimeter
This study will aid in the ongoing evaluation of the health and safety risks to workers in multiple occupational fields united by potential exposure to neutron radiation. The results from this study will provide a basis for a passive, inexpensive, wearable neutron dosimeter that will be appropriate to use in wide-spectrum neutron fields.

Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Assessment of Oil and Gas Extraction Workers
This project seeks to determine if oil and gas workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise and if the noise exposure is causing hearing damage, which could increase the risk of permanent noise-induced hearing loss.

Museum Poisons Test Kit
This project seeks to provide museum institutions with accessible, low-cost, practical resources to address contaminants found in cultural collections.

Longitudinal Lung Function and Respiratory Health in Deployed Military Personnel
This objective of this research is to determine longitudinal respiratory health outcomes (symptoms, lung function, multiple breath washout) in symptomatic military deployers.

Individual and Household Determinants of Renal Insufficiency Among Agricultural Workers: A Total Worker Health® Approach 
This project seeks to understand the factors that contribute to or reduce risk for kidney damage in agricultural workers. This will be the first study to examine non-occupational factors, including conditions of the home environment and individual determinants, in a high-risk worker population.

How Supportive Physical Work Environments Impact Nursing Home Staff Well-Being 
This project seeks to characterize worker well-being in nursing home facilities using the NIOSH Worker Well-being Questionnaire (WellBQ). 

Effects of Frequent Active Breaks In Prolonged Sitting Versus Continuous Physical Activity on Behavioral and Health-Related Outcomes in Sedentary Office Workers at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study 
This project will provide novel data on the effects of breaking up sedentary behavior bouts of brief but frequent physical activity on behavioral and health-related outcomes in office workers. 

Fostering Resilience in Early Education for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs (FREE-M)
To support the mental health of early care educators working with migrant communities in Colorado. A proven program will be adapted to fit the unique needs of this group, ensuring educators have access to mental health resources and well-being practices that can positively impact both their lives and the young children they care for. 

Immigrant Farmworker Behavioral Health Promotion
To reduce work-related stress and improve access to mental health resources for dairy workers while educating farm owners on best practices to support their teams. This project focuses on immigrant dairy farmworkers in Wisconsin—a population facing significant health and safety challenges.

Building the Foundation for Thriving Teams: Defining and Measuring Inpatient Provider Workload

This project aims to define and measure hospitalist workload to develop an easy-to-use mobile application paired with the electronic health records to track total work. This work will be foundational to connect work practices to outcomes (worker, patient, operational, and financial) and to then determine best practices.