Education and Research Centers are funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). ERC’s play a key role in providing national and world leadership to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.  The purpose of the Sunshine Education and Research Center (ERC) is to promote graduate training and research related to occupational health and safety. We provide well-trained graduates to meet the demand for a professional occupational health and safety workforce for federal, state, and local government agencies; not-for-profit agencies; industry; academia; business; healthcare; and labor organizations. Occupational Health and Safety Professionals are a necessary part of programs designed to protect the health and well-being of working men and women, a fundamental purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Sunshine Education and Research Center is one of only 18 NIOSH funded and research centers nationwide.