Early Detection of Certain Medical Conditions Related to Environmental Health Hazards Supplement | CDC RFA TS19 19020301SUPP21

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA TS19 19020301SUPP21

The "Early Detection of Certain Medical Conditions Related to Environmental Health Hazards Supplement" is a federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR). It focuses on continuing and strengthening medical screening efforts tied to a long running environmental health crisis in Libby, Montana, where decades of vermiculite mining and processing left widespread asbestos contamination and serious, well documented health impacts among workers, families, and community members.

The underlying public health problem traces back to the fact that Libby was the world’s largest source of vermiculite from the early 1920s through 1990. Vermiculite was widely used in products like insulation, fireproofing materials, and soil conditioners. The major issue is that Libby vermiculite was contaminated with amphibole asbestos, a particularly hazardous form of asbestos associated with lung disease and cancers. Because the contamination affected not only the workplace but also the surrounding community, many people experienced exposure without ever working in the mine or plant, including household members of workers and residents with purely environmental exposure. Over time, Libby saw pervasive asbestos related illness and deaths, which led to a significant federal response beginning in 1999.

A central part of that response was large scale, community based screening led by ATSDR in 2000 and 2001, during which 7,307 people were screened. Screening support continued afterward through ATSDR funded grants, first to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (2003 to 2008) and later to the Lincoln County Health Department (2009 to 2011). Libby was subsequently declared an environmental public health emergency. To ensure ongoing access to screening, Congress included specific language in the Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) that allows continued screening for people with potential past exposure to Libby vermiculite during the time they lived in the area. Importantly, individuals with positive screening results may become eligible for certain Medicare benefits, linking the screening process to access to healthcare coverage and services for those affected.

This particular Notice of Funding Opportunity is designed as supplemental funding, meaning it is intended to add resources to screening activities that are already being supported under the ACA framework rather than launching a brand new program from scratch. The goal is to maintain and enhance the capacity to identify asbestos related health conditions as early as possible among eligible populations connected to Libby. By supporting early detection, the program aims to improve survival for participants who develop asbestos related cancers, reduce smoking related disease rates through associated prevention and cessation efforts, and improve overall quality of life by connecting people to timely evaluation, follow up, and care.

The grant is categorized as a discretionary award and uses a grant funding instrument. It falls under a health funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 93.534. Eligible applicants are broad across the public and nonprofit sectors, including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non 501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education). The listing also notes that other applicant types may be eligible as described in the full eligibility section of the announcement. The opportunity anticipates a single award, with an award ceiling of up to $999,999, indicating a focused, targeted supplement meant to support one main recipient organization responsible for operating or expanding the screening effort.

Key administrative details include that the funding opportunity number is CDC RFA TS19 19020301SUPP21. The notice was created on April 27, 2021, with an original closing date of June 26, 2021. Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the deadline date, underscoring that this is a standard federal grant competition with strict electronic submission requirements.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a continuation investment in a long standing federal public health response to asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana. It is structured to sustain and improve screening access for people with historical exposure, identify disease earlier when interventions can be more effective, and ensure that those with concerning findings can be connected to benefits and care pathways that may reduce preventable illness and death over the long term.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - ATSDR in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Detection of Certain Medical Conditions Related to Environmental Health Hazards Supplement" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.534.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 27, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 26, 2021 Explanation of Deadlines Application must be successfully submitted to Grants.gov by 1159 pm Eastern Standard Time on the deadline date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $999,999.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for CDC RFA TS19 19020301SUPP21

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