Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety TrainingProject Grants (T03) | RFA OH 20 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OH 20 003

The Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Training Project Grants (T03) opportunity (RFA OH 20 003) is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), administered through NIOSH. It focuses on reducing deaths and serious injuries in the U.S. commercial fishing industry by supporting practical, targeted safety training for fishermen, vessel operators, and crews. The program is rooted in the reality that commercial fishing remains one of the most hazardous jobs in the country, with a fatality rate far above the average for U.S. workers overall. NIOSH data cited in the announcement highlights the severity of the problem: from 2000 to 2016 there were 755 deaths among U.S. commercial fishermen, averaging about 41 deaths per year, which translates to roughly 115 deaths per 100,000 workers compared with about 4 per 100,000 across all occupations.

A major theme of the grant is that fishing risks are not uniform. While certain dangers like severe weather are widespread, the most common hazards and the likelihood of those hazards depend heavily on vessel type, gear type, operating practices, and region. The opportunity emphasizes that nearly half of the fatalities in the 2000-2016 period occurred following vessel disasters, with a large additional share tied to falls overboard and a smaller but still significant portion due to onboard injuries. It also points to other contributing pathways, including diving-related and onshore incidents. Importantly, the narrative goes beyond counts and identifies preventable risk factors that training can address. For example, NIOSH observed that none of the victims in fatal falls overboard during 2000-2016 were wearing a personal flotation device at the time they drowned, many falls were unwitnessed, and alcohol or drugs contributed to more than 18 percent of all fatalities. The announcement also highlights fatigue as a serious operational risk, noting that fatigue or falling asleep at the helm contributed to a substantial portion of vessel disasters that began with a grounding. Even though onboard injuries represent a smaller share of fatal incidents, they make up the largest share of hospitalized non-fatal injuries, underscoring the need for prevention and safer work practices on deck.

The grant opportunity is designed to fund training and intervention activities that strengthen preparedness and improve outcomes when emergencies occur at sea, particularly in remote or offshore areas where help may be delayed. The solicitation specifically calls out training topics that address both prevention and response: emergency drills, survival skills, damage control, fire prevention and firefighting, vessel stability, seamanship, fatigue awareness and prevention, watchkeeping, and weather forecasting. The underlying idea is straightforward: crews and operators who are trained to recognize hazards early, use the right equipment, and respond quickly and correctly during a crisis are more likely to avoid disasters or survive them when they happen.

Region-specific risks are another justification for the program and a signal that training may need to be tailored. The opportunity notes that the leading causes of fatal vessel disasters differ across the country. On the West Coast, a high share of fatalities have been linked to vessel disasters, including incidents associated with crossing hazardous river bars. In Alaska, vessel disasters account for a significant portion of fatalities, with many victims working in small, undecked skiffs, and there is additional emphasis on icing risks that can destabilize vessels and lead to capsizing. In the Gulf of Mexico, fatal vessel collisions are comparatively more prominent, while on the East Coast vessel disasters and falls overboard contribute similarly to fatalities, and several of the highest-risk fisheries are located there. Taken together, the program frames safety training as something that should be grounded in the realities of specific fleets and operating environments rather than treated as one-size-fits-all.

From an administrative standpoint, the program is listed under CFDA 93.262, uses the grant funding instrument, and sits within the health funding activity category. The posting indicates an expected number of awards of about 10, with an award ceiling of $650,000. The original posting timeline shows a creation date of December 3, 2019 and an original closing date of January 21, 2020. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement, which typically signals that applicants may include certain nontraditional or specialized entities involved in training delivery or occupational safety work, depending on the detailed eligibility language.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted occupational safety initiative aimed at measurable reductions in fatalities and severe injuries in commercial fishing through high-quality, relevant training. The problem statement is supported by long-term fatality trends, clear incident breakdowns (vessel disasters, falls overboard, onboard injuries), and specific, actionable risk factors like PFD use, substance involvement, fatigue management, and preparedness for emergencies such as fire, flooding, instability, and severe weather. The funding is meant to translate that evidence into training that fishermen can actually use on the water, where decisions and actions in the first moments of an emergency often determine whether everyone makes it home.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety TrainingProject Grants (T03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.262.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 03, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 21, 2020. (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 $650,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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