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Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology

NIH Reorganizes Study Sections

NIH has been undergoing a review of its existing study section since 2019. All social and behavioral study sections were reviewed last year and has resulted in the retirement of Social Science and Population Studies (A & B) and several others.  A new Population Dynamics and Health (PDH) study section and a Social Determinants of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Psychological Health study section have been formed from the former SSPS-A and SSPS-B. They will begin reviewing applications Oct 2026. Many other new study sections may be relevant to your work. To help identify appropriate study sections, please see the Assisted Referral Tool (ART).

*New* ​The Rural Health Transformation Program: What Could it Mean for Rural Working-Age and Older Adults? (03/30/26)

he new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) directs $50 billion over the next five years to help states respond to Medicaid cuts, rising uncompensated care, and growing gaps in rural healthcare access. For rural working-age and older adults—who already face higher rates of chronic disease, longer distances to care, and greater reliance on Medicaid and Medicare—the stakes are especially high. Join us to unpack what’s changing and what it could mean for rural people and places. Register for the zoom link: https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/XID99pnnQQWWjesloguqWw
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This panel will be held as part of the Annual Meeting of the Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (INRPHA)—a multi-institution research network funded by the National Institute on Aging. INRPHA membership is not required in order to attend.

EPA Grants for Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings (03/11/2026)

 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings (EPA-OAR-ORIA-25-03)
Award amount: $2,500.000
Number of applications UW can put forward: 1
OR internal deadline: 3/11/2026
OSP deadline: 4/6/2026
Sponsor deadline: 4/15/2026 Program Description:
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings is a federal grant program to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness. This program provides grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organizations for the assessment, prevention, control, or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings and related activities. These grants are intended to support activities that will reduce indoor exposure to pollutants in wildfire smoke and, in turn, reduce the public health burden of wildfire smoke exposure. Activities may include research, demonstrations, technical assistance, training, education and/or outreach components. Applications must target public buildings or buildings that serve the public.
This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities to improve public health protection against smoke from wildfires by enhancing preparedness in community buildings. The EPA is soliciting applications for projects that support this effort through activities such as:
  • Smoke readiness planning;
  • Outreach and training for smoke readiness;
  • Indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring;
  • Deployment of portable air cleaners;
  • Identification and preparation of cleaner air spaces or shelters;
  • Significant improvements to buildings such as upgrading and repairing heating, ventilation, andair conditioning (HVAC) units or systems and weatherization
Pre-Proposal Instructions:
Please submit as one combined pdf labeled with PI’s Lastname, Firstname to limitedsubs@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Late pre-proposals will not be considered. Proposals are due to the sponsor 4/15/2026 so you will need to have your materials to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 4/6/2026 if given the go‐ahead by the Limited Submissions review committee. Other open limited submissions opportunities, as well as the limited submissions review committee review and selection process, are here:http://depts.washington.edu/research/funding/limited-submissions. Please feel free to email us at limitedsubs@uw.eduwith questions or information on any limited submission opportunities that should be but are not already listed on that page. If you are interested in other private funding opportunities, visit the Corporate and Foundation funding opportunities page.
  • A one‐page letter of intent with a description of proposed aims and approach.
  • If the final application requires a statement of broader impacts, please summarize your plans to address the specific requirements on an additional page.
  • CV (not biosketch) of the PI including past grant funding.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC) – Brown University (03/10/26)

Description

The Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC) at Brown University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to start on or around August 15, 2026. The term of appointment is one year, but reappointment for a second year may be possible, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will join PSTC’s dynamic interdisciplinary research environment. Their primary responsibility will be to contribute to the Social Contexts and Life Course Health and Aging Project. Working with PSTC faculty Susan Short and Meghan Zacher, they will collaborate on research development, analysis, and writing. In addition, they will be expected to advance their independent research. They will be encouraged to participate in PSTC’s intellectual community. At PSTC, they will have opportunities to attend workshops, working groups, and colloquia and receive feedback on work-in-progress.

For this position, Brown offers only the J-1 visa classification to scholars who need immigration sponsorship in order to enter the U.S. and commence lawful employment under the terms of their appointment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. or similar doctoral degree in a relevant social science or health discipline (e.g., economics, sociology, demography, public policy, public health) at the time of appointment. Applicants who demonstrate evidence of innovative, high-quality research will receive priority consideration. Population scientists with expertise in any one of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: health and aging, biomarkers, sex/gender, and longitudinal and/or causal data analysis. Please note that a selected candidate who has not completed all requirements for their doctoral degree by the position start date will be appointed as a Research Associate at a reduced salary until all degree requirements are completed.

Application Instructions

Apply via Interfolio at this link (https://apply.interfolio.com/181201). Screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by March 10th.

Applicants should provide a CV, 2 examples of written work, and a cover letter that describes their background, research interests, and any relevant expertise or experience. They should also address how they would contribute to the research or teaching mission of our diverse and inclusive university community. Applicants should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted online through Interfolio.

PSTC seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our Postdoctoral Research Associates richly varied perspectives, viewpoints, and ways of knowing and learning.

Contact Meaghen Hanrahan (Meaghen_hanrahan@ brown.edu) or Susan Short (seshort@ brown.edu) with any questions.