Plain-language brief
What this opportunity funds
Background Despite advances in technology and improvements in work environments, mining remains one of the most challenging and hazardous occupations in the United States. The industry continues to experience a fatality rate nearly three times higher than the national average for all industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Public MSHA data show that in 2025, the U.S. mining sector employed 372,899 workers and operated 12,600 mining sites nationwide. That year, the industry reported 33 fatalities, and the fatality rate for 2015–2025 ranged between 8 and 16 per 100,000 FTE. MSHA reported that the overall mining industry's all-injury rate reached 1.74 injuries per 200,000 hours worked in 2025. Purpose The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to enhance the quality, relevance, and availability of health and safety training for miners in the Western United States. Availability includes training frequency, geographic access, delivery methods and partnerships, and the cultural and educational appropriateness of materials. This NOFO is intended to complement, not duplicate existing MSHA, OSHA, and state-supported training programs and to address unmet needs specific to Western mining operations. For this announcement, the Western Region States are defined as the states included in the NIOSH Western States Division (WSD) geographic area. These states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Objectives Under this NOFO, applicants are expected to develop and implement training and education programs that: Identify and address specific health and safety training needs of miners in the Western United States. Develop and deliver miner health and safety training through qualified instructors or faculty (excluding emergency response and hazmat training). Create and implement "train-the-trainer" programs to expand regional training capacity. Increase the number of qualified instructors with the technical and practical expertise needed for high quality training. Evaluate training effectiveness and impact, including improvements in knowledge, behaviors, practices, and injury or illness prevention. Collaborate with existing MSHA, OSHA, state, industry, and academic programs to avoid duplication and maximize impact. Ensure training content and delivery align with MSHA and OSHA guidelines and do not replicate training already available through federal or NIOSH-funded programs.
Eligibility at a glance
- Eligible applicants
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Small businesses, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility", Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), For profit organizations other than small businesses, State governments, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, County governments, Private institutions of higher education
- Eligible locations
- Eligible applicants across the United States
- Eligible activities
- Health
- Matching requirement
- Not specified
- Registration
- SAM.gov, Grants.gov
Application process
- Read the complete official notice and confirm every eligibility rule.
- Complete required registrations early; federal registrations can take time.
- Build the budget, work plan, evidence, and attachments requested by the sponsor.
- Submit through the official portal and retain the confirmation.
Change history
No material changes have been recorded since this opportunity entered the hub.