UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility receives $7.7M from NIEHS - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

July 22, 2026 - 01:53

July 21, 2026

The Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS) at the University of North Carolina has secured a five-year, $7.7 million award from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The funding will support ongoing research into how environmental exposures affect human health, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations in North Carolina.

The grant will allow CEHS researchers to investigate how factors like air pollution, water contaminants, and chemical exposures interact with genetic and social determinants of health. The center also plans to expand its community engagement efforts, working directly with local residents to understand their environmental concerns and translate scientific findings into practical solutions.

This award continues a long-standing partnership between UNC and the NIEHS. The center's work aims to reduce health disparities linked to environmental hazards, from rural well water contamination to urban air quality issues. By combining laboratory research with real-world community input, the CEHS hopes to inform better public health policies and interventions.

The funding will also support training for the next generation of environmental health scientists, ensuring that North Carolina remains a leader in this critical field of research.