Two calls for research proposals to gain a better understanding of environmental and occupational health risks
Under the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST), ANSES is launching two calls for research proposals. The aim is to gain a better understanding of issues that are still relatively unexplored, but which are considered to be of major importance to human health and ecosystems.
Calls open until December
Two calls for proposals are being issued simultaneously: one is general, focusing on the themes of environmental and occupational health, while the other is specifically on the potential effects of radiofrequencies on health.
Scientists wishing to contribute are invited to send their letters of intent presenting their proposals:
- by 10 December 2024 for the general call for proposals (in French)
- by 17 December 2024 for the call on radiofrequencies and health (in French)
Proposals of high scientific quality addressing research questions that have been identified as priorities in the light of major health and social issues will be selected. They include:
- endocrine disruptors,
- highly persistent chemicals such as PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances),
- characterisation of the exposome,
- light pollution,
- micro- and nanoplastics,
- waste,
- impacts of climate change,
- impacts due to loss of biodiversity,
- use of new technologies, including exposure to radiofrequencies,
- changes in lifestyle and work organisation.
Multidisciplinary projects incorporating socio-economic aspects and holistic approaches are of particular interest.
A new platform for submitting proposals
For the first time, this autumn, proposals in response to the PNR EST calls shall be submitted via the IRIS platform of the French National Research Agency (ANR).
This change heralds the development of new features on the appelsprojetsrecherche.fr portal, of which the ANR and ANSES are founding members. Eventually, it will be possible to submit proposals and assess them directly on this portal.
The aim is to simplify the process for scientists by pooling research funding offers on a single portal.
What is the PNR EST programme?
Every year, ANSES funds about 40 research projects lasting between one and three years through the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST).
This programme has several objectives:
- generate useful scientific knowledge to enhance the expert appraisals on health risks carried out by the Agency,
- develop new risk and impact assessment methods,
- structure and mobilise scientific communities to tackle questions related to environmental and occupational health.
The proposals selected will be financed by ANSES from budgets delegated by the Ministries responsible for the environment, labour, health and agriculture, along with two other co-funding partners: the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME), and the AVIESAN alliance’s multi-agency thematic institute for cancer (ITMO Cancer).a