FORECAST · COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
NIOSH Robotics and Intelligent Mining Technology and Workplace Safety Research (U60)
- Expected deadline
- Not stated
- Who can apply
- Anyone eligible under the notice (unrestricted)
- Award range
- $0 to $2.0 million
- Expected awards
- 2
- Total program funding
- $10 million
- Your own money required
- No cost sharing or matching required
- Opportunity number
- RFA-OH-27-044
- Posted
- Jul 22, 2026
- Assistance listing
- 93.262
More on who can apply
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the HHS Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.Congress intends for the award to go to a U.S. academic institution that (1) offers an ABET accredited undergraduate program in mining or mineral engineering (under the Mining and Similarly Named Engineering Programs criteria) and (2) offers graduate programs in both mining engineering and explosives engineering.
What it funds
PurposeThis NOFO supports applied research to advance automation, robotics, and intelligent mining systems that improve safety and health in U.S. mining operations. Projects should deliver field-ready solutions that strengthen communication, self-escape, refuge performance, and overall safety through modern autonomy, sensing, and decision-support technologies.BackgroundMining remains hazardous. In 2025, MSHA recorded 33 fatalities, including powered-haulage and machinery incidents. Early 2026 data show continued roof and rib failures and pressure-vessel events. Although the 2025 injury rate reached a historic low, gaps persist in emergency communication reliability, low-visibility self-escape, and refuge performance. Advances in robotics and intelligent systems offer potential for rapid assessment, resilient communications, and improved decision-making.ApproachThe Miner Health Program, 2020–2030 Strategic Agenda provides a long term framework for improving miner health and well being through integrated research, evaluation, and community engagement.This cooperative agreement aligns with that agenda by supporting research in robotics and intelligent mining to reduce hazardous exposures, strengthen emergency response, and improve miner safety and health.ObjectivesObjectives support research in automation, robotics, and intelligent systems that enhance mining safety and health. Projects should advance "assured autonomy," ensuring autonomous equipment improves worker safety while maintaining productivity.Potential impacts include:Advances and implementation of human-centered design principles for automated equipment and related systems.New methods, guidance, and best practices in change management, training/retraining, technology integration, and safety evaluation.New metho…
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From Grants.gov's official daily extract of Oct 25, 2026. The notice on Grants.gov and its attachments are what count. UX Contract is independent and not a government website.