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.

Nonprofit

• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)

Government

• State governments
• City or township governments
• County governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Public and Indian housing authorities
• Special district governments

Business

• Small businesses
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Education

• Independent school districts
• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Miscellaneous

• Unrestricted