NIOSH ERC

NIOSH Education and Research Centers are multidisciplinary centers supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for education and research in the field of occupational health. Through the centers, NIOSH supports academic degree programs and research opportunities.^[1] The ERCs, distributed in regions across the United States, establish academic, labor, and industry research partnerships.^[2] The research conducted at the centers is related to the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) established by NIOSH.^[3]

Founded in 1977, NIOSH ERCs are responsible for nearly half of post-baccalaureate graduates entering occupational health and safety fields. The ERCs focus on industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, occupational medicine, occupational safety, and other areas of specialization.^[4] At many ERCs, students in specific disciplines have their tuition paid in full and receive additional stipend money. ERCs provide a benefit to local businesses by offering reduced price assessments to local businesses.

2012 Proposed Funding Cuts

The proposed 2012 budget from President Obama has completely cut the $24 million in funding to NIOSH to support the program. This would mean that all 17 ERCs would cease to exist and student and research funding would stop.^[5]

Current Education and Research Centers

• University of Alabama at Birmingham & Auburn University -Deep South Center for Occupational Safety & Health
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Cincinnati
• Mountain & Plains ERC in Colorado
• Harvard School of Public Health
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Iowa
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• University of North Carolina
• University of South Florida
• University of Texas
• University of Utah - The Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
• University of Washington

References

1. ^ NIOSH Education and Research Centers (ERCs). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. July, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2009
2. ^ NIOSH ERC - Great Lakes Center. University of Illinois at Chicago. Accessed February 13, 2009
3. ^ Education and Research Center (ERC): About ERC. University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental Health. September 15, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2009
4. ^ NIOSH Announces New Name for Centers to Reflect Education, Research Mission. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Update, January 22, 1998. Accessed February 13, 2009
5. ^ NIOSH Education and Research Centers on the chopping block in Obama’s 2012 budget, University of Michigan Risk Science Blog http://umrscblogs.org/2011/02/19/niosh-education-and-research-centers-on-the-chopping-block-in-obamas-2012-budget/