NOTE: This is a Forecasted Opportunity.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit meritorious applications from universities with graduate programs in mining and explosives engineering to develop and conduct research specifically focused on automation, robotics, and intelligent mining systems to improve workplace safety and health in U.S. mining operations and to build on NIOSH's work to address Congress mandates in the Appropriations Bill, 2022. This research will contribute to the goal of eliminating mining fatalities within the next two decades. The impact of research conducted by grantees should focus on advances in assured autonomy, i.e., assuring autonomous mining equipment and robotics achieve improved workplace safety and health for mine workers while meeting efficiency and productivity goals.