United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/600/8-86/028
Sept. 1986
Research and Development
v°/EPA Solicitation for
Research Grant
Proposals
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Exploratory Research Grants
Introduction The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
responsible for implementing laws designed to mitigate
or prevent environmental pollution. Central to the
execution of its responsibility is the need for reliable,
high quality scientific and technical information.
Recognizing that some of the information needed to
address current or emerging problems is not available,
the Agency has established a long term, exploratory
research program.
As part of this long term research effort, EPA's Office of
Research and Development (ORD) established the
Research Grants Program within the Office of
Exploratory Research (OER) in 1980. The objective of
this program is to develop an effective means to
stimulate extramural scientists to work on EPA's
technical problems, to complement existing EPA
programs and to provide a stronger creative base for
mission-oriented research needed for the Agency's
regulatory and enforcement purposes. To date, through
its Research Grants Program, OER has supported over
500 research projects in various priority areas as
identified by the Agency's program planning
mechanisms and ORD's Research Committees. This
year, ORD's research priorities are in four major areas:
—human health risk assessment methods: development
and application;
—ecological risk assessment methods: development and
application;
—total exposure assessment methods: development and
application;
—risk reduction research concerned with reducing or
eliminating the release of toxicants to the
environment.
Grants are an important means by which EPA
underwrites research on environmental topics in the
academic sector. Therefore, this document solicits
investigator-initiated proposals to address ORD's priority
research needs. This solicitation relates only to the
research grants procedures as administered by the
ORD's Office of Exploratory Research and outlines the
procedures for applying for grant assistance.
Participation in the research grants assistance program
does not preclude individuals or institutions from
engaging in EPA-sponsored research supported through
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cooperative agreements or contracts with ORD
laboratories. Those interested in these aspects of EPA's
research and development programs are encouraged to
consult directly with officials at the EPA laboratories. A
list of these laboratories appears in Appendix A.
This solicitation describes the principal areas of interest
and specific research needs in these program areas:
• Environmental Biology
• Environmental Health
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Air/Water Chemistry and Physics
Although this document emphasizes certain needs in
the aforementioned research areas, it is by no means all
inclusive. Every scientifically meritorious proposal will
be accorded full and fair consideration. The legislative
and administrative limitations of this program require,
however, that applications must be germane to EPA's
mission.
Application In the past, the Research Grants Program has accepted
Procedures applications that responded to the regular annual
solicitation. This year, in addition, applications will be
accepted which respond to more narrowly defined
proposal requests, the Request for Applications (RFA).
Application procedures for both mechanisms are
outlined below.
Regular Grants
Application forms, instructions, and other pertinent
information are available in the EPA Research Grant
Application/Information Kit. It is recommended that
interested investigators review the material in this kit
before preparing an application for assistance. The kits
are available from:
Grants Operations Branch
Grants Administration Division (PM-216)
U S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or
Research Grants Staff
Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675)
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
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Fully-developed research proposals, prepared in
accordance with instructions in the Application for
Federal Assistance Form No. 5700-12, should be sent
to:
Grants Administration Division (PM-216)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
A pre-addressed mailing label is provided in the
Application/ Information Kit.
If this solicitation is the basis for submitting a proposal,
the fact may be entered on line 3 of Form 5700-12.
One copy of the application with original signatures plus
eight copies are needed. Informal, incomplete, or
unsigned proposals will not be considered.
While applications are accepted year round, proposals
will be evaluated at regular (approximately semi-annual)
intervals (see table below). Applicants should contact
the appropriate Science Review Administrator, whose
name appears at the end of each program area
description, for dates of the next scheduled peer review
panel meetings.
Solicitation
Publication
September
Application*
Closing
Date(s)
Feb. 15th
Aug. 15th
Panel
Review
Meeting
Apr/May
Oct/Nov
Relevancy
Review
June/ July
Dec/Jan
Earliest Date
for
Notification of
Award
A ugust
February
*While applications are accepted year round, to be considered by a specific
review panel, applications should be received no later than six weeks prior
to the scheduled review meeting date.
Special Targeted Grants
Often the Agency needs to expand or explore a new
research area in which current Agency efforts are either
minimal or non-existent. In this context, targeted grants
will be awarded to focus solely toward advancing the
state of knowledge in a narrowly defined area. While
still exploratory, these grants will be aimed at
determining whether a more formal research effort
should be established, and if so, in what direction. The
Office of Exploratory Research addresses this targeted
grant need by issuing a special solicitation called the
"Request for Applications" (RFA). The RFA is a
mechanism by which a formal announcement is
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released describing a high priority initiative in a well-
defined scientific area. Applicants will be invited to
submit research applications for a one-time competition
using the standard application for Federal Assistance
Form No. 5700-12. One copy of the application with
original signatures plus eight copies are to be mailed
directly to:
Research Grants Staff
Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675)
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Funds for this special mechanism are generally set
aside for a specified number of awards (expected to be
five to ten awards per RFA). The deadlines for receipt of
applications are identified in the announcement. All
responses received are reviewed by specially convened
ad hoc peer review panels. The two Request for
Applications issued by OER this fiscal year are printed in
Part II of this Solicitation.
Eligibility
A research grant application will be considered when a
fully developed proposal is submitted on the required
Application for Federal Assistance Form 5700-1 2,
provided that
• The proposed project is for research (as opposed to
development, demonstration, surveys, or preparation
of materials and documents)
• The proposed project directly pertains to EPA's
mission
• The proposed project addresses fundamental aspects
of environmental problems
• The applicant is eligible to apply under the Federal
laws that authorize EPA to award research grants
Nonprofit institutions and state or local governments are
eligible under all existing authorizations. Profit-making
firms are eligible only under certain laws, and then
under restrictive conditions, including the absence of
any profit from the project.
Potential applicants who are uncertain of their eligibility
should study the restrictive language of the law
governing the area of research interest. This
information is provided in the Research Grant
Application/Information Kit. All applicants must provide
a minimum of 5% of the total project cost. These
costsharmg funds may not be taken from other Federal
sources.
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Investigators at minority institutions or those who have
not previously received support are encouraged to
submit applications (See Minority Programs Section).
Review All applications will initially be reviewed by the Agency
Process to determine their legal and administrative acceptability.
Acceptable applications will then be reviewed by the
appropriate peer review panel. This review is designed
to evaluate and rank each proposal according to its
scientific and/or technical merit as a basis for
recommending Agency approval or disapproval. Each
peer review panel is composed primarily of non-EPA
scientists and engineers who are acknowledged experts
in their respective disciplines.
The panels use the following criteria in their review:
• Quality of research plan (including theoretical and/or
experimental design, originality, and creativity)
• Qualifications of principal investigator and staff
including knowledge of subject area
• Potential contribution to scientific knowledge
• Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment
• Budgetary justification
Proposals which receive a panel's approval based upon
scientific merit are further evaluated by EPA officials for
relevance to the Agency's mission and budget
appropriations. It is iterated that scientifically approved
applications must be germane to EPA's mission to be
funded. A summary of the scientific review and
recommendation of the panel(s) will be provided to each
applicant.
Environmental
Health
The major objective of the Environmental Health
Research Program is to obtain and provide a scientific
basis upon which the Agency can make regulatory
decisions concerning human health risk assessment
after exposure to environmental pollutants. The
principal concern is to determine whether, and to what
extent, exposure to various pollutants contribute to
environmentally related health risks.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
• Improved Models and Methodologies for Human Risk
Assessment
—Development of methods to assess the risk of
environmental contaminants for a variety of health
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endpoints other than cancer (including
reproductive, developmental, behavioral
immunological, neurological and cardiovascular
disorders, renal disease, chronic bronchitis and
emphysema).
—Develop short-term assays which mimic the
metabolism and/or the molecular, cellular or
biochemical process being affected by specific
toxicants.
—Development of more extensive in vivo and in vitro
assays for all classes of potentially toxic chemicals
considered relevant to humans at risk.
—Studies of pharmacokmetics to determine the body
burden and effects of ingested and otherwise
contacted chemical and physical toxic agents.
—Studies to determine the adverse effects of
environmental toxicants on the immune function,
and ways to enhance immune response.
—Studies to determine the effect of predisposing
factors (e.g., genetic, hormonal, nutritional factors,
biological rhythm, previous exposure, disease
state, etc.) on reaction to toxic agents.
—Developments of methods to program the results
obtained with validated testing strategies into an
artificial intelligence to predict toxicity based on
structural activity relationships.
Risk Assessment and Predictions
—Studies directed toward improved extrapolations
from high-to-low doses and from animal models to
humans; long-term animal studies of chronic
exposure to provide basis for high-to-low dose
extrapolations.
—Development of more sensitive techniques for
measuring chemical and physical toxic agents and
their metabolites in biological media.
—Develop risk extrapolation methods incorporating
information and mechanisms of action,
pharmacokinetics, and information from
interspecies responses to related endpoints.
—.Studies to identify the potential routes of exposure
in biological systems to chemical and physical toxic
agents, and the possible different toxicities
manifested following exposure by these diverse
routes.
—Studies of multiple exposure models to determine
possible synergistic, additive, and antagonistic
effects of toxic agents.
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—Studies that define the rates and mechanisms of
chemical reactions at the cellular level of important
toxic agents in the environment.
—In vivo and in vitro studies for developing and
validating rapid, reproducible, and sensitive
screening tests that can be used to assess
potential toxicity.
• Risk Assessment in Human Populations
—Identification of target populations and effects on
these target populations at risk from exposure to
toxic agents. The nature and range of susceptibility
should be included.
—Development of biological markers in populations
to improve early detection of exposure and future
chronic diseases, and to estimate their sensitivity
vs. specificity.
—Development of methods to better correlate
relationships between exposures and health
effects resulting from chronic long-term exposure
or where the interval between exposure and effect
is extended. Consideration should be given to
subtle effects such as genetic or behavioral toxicity
as well as morbidity or mortality.
For further information, please contact:
George R. Simon, Ph.D.
Science Review Administrator (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-7445
Environmental The Environmental Biology Research Program supports
Biology a broad range of projects in the areas of ecosystem
effects, aquatic ecosystem modeling, biotechnology
monitoring, environmental risk assessment, marine
studies and biodegradation in water and soil
environments. One objective of this program is to
provide information that, in combination with exposure
data, allows the prediction of the environmental risk of
pollution on individual organisms and on ecosystems.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
• Ecological Risk Assessment
—Methods to assess and predict environmental risks
resulting from single-chemical or complex mixture
exposures to wetland ecosystems.
—Develop comparative risk assessment procedures
to estimate the risk associated with disposal of
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wastes containing mixtures of chemicals.
Specifically, additivity rules to assess the
environmental effects of complex mixtures based
on single chemical dose-response relationships
using bioassay and short-term effects tests to
reflect relationships between hazards and
exposures.
—Techniques that will permit testing and validation
of laboratory findings and model verification under
field conditions especially in the areas of biological
availability and effects of contaminants.
—Determining the pathways, interactions, and
impacts of genetically engineered microorganisms
which enter environmental systems. Of particular
interest are applications for environmental
monitoring and ecological risk assessment
—Screening methods for predicting exposure, fate
and eco-toxicity of chemicals, including chemical
mixtures at low concentrations. The development
of systems and models (including the structure-
activity concept) through which persistence,
bioaccumulation, eco-toxicity, and biodegradation
may be predicted.
• Ecosystem Structure and Function
—The cycling, including sorption/desorption of
pollutants and biodegradation products with long
time constants in biological systems and ecological
processes.
—The relationship of ecological genetics and natural
selection processes as they are influenced by the
impact of pollutants upon ecosystem properties
—The differential importance of components of
ecosystems to the whole. Studies are solicited
which assess the vulnerability of ecosystem
components to natural and anthropogenic damage
and the relative ecosystem resiliency and recovery.
—Modeling studies to develop new qualitative and
quantitative methodologies for environmental
applications to ecological processes in order to
predict pollutant effects.
—Studies of pollution impacts on biotic resources in
cold-climate ecosystems including the tundra and
estuarine areas.
• Ecological and Toxicological Effects
—Studies delineating the effects of gaseous and
particulate air pollution (e g., acid rain) on forests,
crops, and receiving waters and their biota.
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—Studies to examine the mechanisms by which
major pollutants combine to alter plant growth and
produce pathological symptoms in plants.
—Studies on the sublethal effects of toxic chemicals
and their biodegraded products on the behavior of
animals.
—Modes by which organisms (i.e., fish, algae and
plants) are exposed to chemicals in freshwater and
marine sediments.
—Studies defining the role of bacteria in the
movement, transfer and destruction of pollutants
in soil and water.
—Effects of chemicals on wildlife, including effects
on populations and individuals.
—Ecological significance of the loss, due to exposure
to toxic chemicals, of a portion of a natural
population.
For further information, p'lease contact:
Clyde C. Bishop, Jr.
Science Review Administrator (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-7445
Environmental The Environmental Engineering Research Program
Engineering supports fundamental research needed to provide
solutions to pollution control problems outside the scope
of the Agency's response-directed research program.
New, innovative toxic substances control and waste
management techniques are sought to provide cost-
effective risk reduction through advanced multi-media
(solid, liquid, gaseous) pollution control technology.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
• Proof-of-concept research in high-risk, high-potential
technical areas.
—Biodegradation of toxic substances; the treatment
of complex mixtures of pollutants to reduce
toxicity.
—In-plant unit process operations minimizing or
eliminating toxics generation and release to the
environment.
—Biotechnology advances for the degradation of
toxic and/or hazardous wastes in contaminated
water, ground water, and sediments and for
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improving biological process treatment and
mitigation of environmental pollution problems,
—Development of improved techniques to prevent
ground-water degradation and to clean up ground-
water contamination.
—Prevention technology to minimize adverse human
health and ecological effects resulting from
accidental releases of toxic materials.
• Pilot-scale evaluation and cost performance testing
of innovative technologies.
—Improved thermal destruction (incineration) or
other treatment techniques, e.g., biological or
chemical, for the final disposition of hazardous
materials.
—Handling and disposal of hazardous solid wastes,
including detoxification, solidification, and
otherwise fixing organic waste before disposal in
secure landfills.
—Innovative approaches for reduction of indoor air
pollution.
—Improved techniques for low cost capture of
particles less than 10 micrometers; including
condensation aerosols, in retrofit applications,
prior to existing stack.
—Innovative techniques to control and/or remove
toxic air emissions and VOC from industrial and/or
combustion sources, including vent and flue gases.
—Simultaneous control of paniculate matter, NOX
and SO, in combustion and/or post combustion
processes.
—Municipal water and wastewater sludge volume
reduction and final disposal practices which lower
concentrations of pathogens, heavy metals, and
synthetic organics; recovery techniques for metals
from industrial sludges.
—Clean-up techniques (e.g., in-situ treatment) for
contaminated soils, structures, surface and
groundwater, and asbestos.
• Fundamental thermal destruction/combustion
research: leading to less pollutant production and to
better incineration of hazardous waste.
—Investigation of flame reactions, propagation, and
quenching mechanisms.
—Investigation of selective and non-selective
catalysts for control of NOX and organic particulate
matter in high temperature combustion processes.
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—Predictive models for products of incomplete
combustion in hazardous waste incineration.
For further information, please contact:
Donald F. Carey, B.S. Ch.E.
Science Review Administrator (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-7446
Environmental
Air/Water
Chemistry and
Physics
The Environmental Chemistry and Physics of Air/Water
Programs support research leading to the basic
scientific tools for establishing the levels at which
pollutants occur or might occur in the environment
under different conditions. The program includes
projects in analytical chemistry, studies on chemical
reactions and their rates and on the physics of the
movement of pollutants in air, water, and soil. The
resulting tools and information will allow the estimation
of total exposure needed for risk assessment.
This program is divided into:
/. RESEARCH ON AIR POLLUTION
II. RESEARCH ON POLLUTION OF FRESHWA TER,
MARINE/ESTUARINE WATERS, GROUND-
WA TERS, SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
/. AIR POLLUTION
• Exposure Monitoring Systems and Advanced
Analytical Methods
—Development of exposure monitoring systems,
, instruments or devices for continuous and
discontinuous sampling of inhalable
particulates, for volatile organic compounds,
and/or for indoor air pollution studies.
—Development of advanced analytical methods
for the direct analysis of organic compounds in
the gaseous and solid phases, for the rapid
screening of samples for the presence of
classes of organic compounds, and for the
development of new sensitive and selective
detectors for gas and liquid chromatography.
• Indoor Air
—Studies on potentially hazardous indoor air
pollutants. Research should determine the
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species and ranges of exposure concentrations
for statistically significant samples of various
indoor settings.
• Transport and Fate Studies
—Studies of the physical structure and chemical
composition of fine particulates. Studies on
how these particulates are formed,
transported, and removed from the
atmosphere
—Studies of the chemical and physical
transformations of specific toxic and hazardous
compounds (and their intermediates) in
ambient air. Studies should include the
elucidation of chemical mechanisms as well as
focus on novel measurement methods for
identifying these compounds in ambient air.
—Assessment and quantification of the role of
solid aerosols in atmospheric reactions.
—Studies to assess whether anthropogenic
emissions into the atmosphere have a
significant effect on local or global climate.
• Modeling Studies
—Continued development and refinement of
receptor model and source apportionment
techniques for estimating the concentrations
of ambient pollutants attributable to specific
sets of emission categories.
—Development of reliable models for predicting
ground based pollutant concentrations in
complex terrain from single and multiple
sources.
—Studies on meteorological processes which
figure prominently in mathematical models of
air pollution.
—Development of models capable of quantifying
pollutant concentrations or deposition rates
over urban, mesoscale and large areas.
Probabilistic modeling of atmospheric
phenomena is important.
For further information, please contact:
Louis G. Swaby, Ph.D.
Science Review Administrator (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 2046
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RESEARCH ON POLLUTION OF FRESHWATER,
MARINE/ESTUARINE WATERS, SOILS, GROUND-
WATERS, AND SEDIMENTS.
• Studies of transport and transformation
processes in the surface and subsurface
environment in order to predict the impact of
surface conditions on ground-water systems.
—Research is needed to identify and characterize
the major transport and transformation
mechanisms of wastes and other
contaminants introduced into soil systems.
—Research on the mechanism of and conditions
for biological transformation in the subsurface
including methods for identifying and
characterizing subsurface microorganisms.
• Studies of the transport and fate of toxic
chemicals in lakes, rivers, and estuarine waters
with emphasis on providing information required
for use in predictive exposure models.
—Theoretical and experimental characterizations
of adsorbing surfaces, the chemical nature of
adsorbed species, the microbiological action at
surfaces, and the environmental factors
controlling the reaction rates of adsorbed
species.
—Studies on the rates and mechanisms for
abiotic transformations of toxic chemicals in
natural waters including the reactions
involving naturally-occurring materials such as
humic substances, and inorganic species such
as trace metals and hydrogen peroxide.
• Development of predictive water quality models
and techniques of varying complexity for
application to toxic substances, nutrients, anoxic
conditions, and resuspension of dredged material
after aquatic disposal.
—Develop more efficient numerical methods for
the solution of mathematical models.
—Develop formal procedures to assign
uncertainty to estimates provided by models,
and for comparing the results from models of
different complexity.
• Research in chemistry and physics to develop
advanced analytical and monitoring techniques
for increasing sample through-put, sensitivity
and selectivity, and for field use.
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—Develop methods for identifying and
quantifying non-volatile compounds in complex
mixtures, adsorbed or complexed inorganic
species and the complexing agents, for
separating and concentrating non-volatile
organics adsorbed to other materials, and for
new sensitive and selective detectors for gas
and liquid chromatography.
—Develop new methods for screening a variety
of samples for toxic substances and classes of
organics and for monitoring waste streams.
—Develop geophysical monitoring techniques
applicable to the measurement of flow and
migration rates of groundwater and leachate
and for monitoring contamination of estuarine
and ocean areas receiving waste discharges.
For further information, please contact:
Louis G. Swaby, Ph.D.
Science Review Administrator (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-7445
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Minority Research Grant and Student
Fellowship Programs
Minority
Institutions
Assistance
(MIA)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has initiated
a special assistance program entitled the Minority
Institutions Assistance (MIA) program. The objective of
the program is to award grant funds for the support of
exploratory research by faculty and to support
undergraduate/graduate fellowships for students
enrolled at eligible institutions. The principal purpose of
this program is to provide Federal assistance to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) as
directed by Executive Order 12320, issued on
September 15, 1981.
Terms and Restrictions for Research Assistance
• Consideration will be given only to applications
submitted by institutions subject to Executive Order
No. 12320, and identified by the Secretary of the
Department of Education as Historically Black
Colleges and Universities.
• In contrast to the regular grants program,
preapplication assistance is available upon request. A
potential investigator may submit a preproposal for
informal scientific review and determination of its
relevance to Agency research goals.
• The Application Form (5700-1 2), instructions and
procedures are the same as those used for EPA's
regular research grants, except that "MIA" should be
typed in item (3) on the face page to identify the
program to which the application is directed
• All of the topic areas described previously for the
regular research grant program are applicable to the
MIA program.
Terms and Restrictions for Student Fellowship
Assistance
• Consideration will be given only to applicants who
are enrolled full-time and in good standing with an
eligible institution (HBCU).
• The applicant must be a senior or graduate student
with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0
or higher on a scale of 4.0.
• All applications will be reviewed and evaluated for
the following: (1) individual's orientation towards and
commitment to a career in the Physical Sciences
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(Chemistry, Physics, Math, Engineering), Biological
Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer
Sciences; (2) Grade Point Average (GPA) verified by
college transcript; (3) applicants' statement of
objectives and personal goals; (4) recommendations
by the sponsor and faculty; and (5) employment
experience related to the field of study.
• These Student Fellowship applications must be
properly executed on EPA Forms. Failure to complete
all forms with appropriate signatures will delay
processing or disqualify the application. Each
application must enter "MIA" in the upper lefthand
corner of the face page, EPA Form 5770-4.
• Applicants must be citizens of the United States, or
its possessions, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto
Rico.
• The Environmental Protection Agency reserves the
right to limit the number of awards to a particular
college or university.
For further information, please contact:
Walter H. Preston
Ombudsman, MIA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RD-675)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-7445
or
Clyde C. Bishop, Jr.
Science Review Administrator
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Part II: Request for Applications
Announcement
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: RFA # HR-01 -87
TITLE: Mechanisms of Immune A Iterations Induced by
Environmental Pollutants
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
APPLICA TION RECEIPT DA TE: December 7 7, 1986
I. BA CKGROUND IN FORM A TION
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
responsible for protecting the human population from
the potential toxic effects of pollutants. This
responsibility is best achieved when the mechanism(s)
underlying toxic effects are understood. There are a
number of documented effects of environmental
pollutants on the immune system in animals. There is a
need to understand the mechanisms of these effects to
better evaluate the potential human health risks
resulting from exposure.
//. GOALS AND SCOPE
The purpose of the RFA is to: investigate immunologic
mechanisms (e.g., immunologic regulation, modulators,
etc.) by which environmental xenobiotics (e.g., drugs,
chemicals—benzene, etc.) alter the cellular and
molecular aspects of the immune system of a host at
risk.
A successful proposal will delineate the cellular and
molecular mechanisms associated with alterations in
immunocompetence/immunoregulation. Examples of
areas that could be studied include:
• increased susceptibility to infectious agents,
• alterations in immunoregulatory circuits/factors,
• alteration of cellular and molecular functional
components of specific and/or non-specific
immunity,
• alteration in immune ontogeny,
• effects on differentiation of lymphoid cells.
A proposal submitted in any of the above areas will be
considered equally responsive to this RFA.
///. MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
Assistance under this RFA will be through the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's Research Grants
Program, and thus limited to non-profit research
organizations and educational institutions.
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Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution
of the proposed research will be solely that of the
applicant. It is estimated that approximately $500,000
will be available from fiscal year 1987 funds for the first
year of support. It is expected that approximately five
proposals will be supported through these funds. The
project period request for support should not exceed
three years in duration. This RFA is for a single
competition with a deadline of December 17, 1986, for
receipt of applications.
IV. REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
A. Review Procedures
Applications in response to this solicitation will be
reviewed together on a nationwide basis. The
review will be conducted by a scientific peer panel
which will evaluate and rank each proposal
according to its scientific merit as a basis for
recommending Agency approval or disapproval.
The Panel will be composed primarily of non-EPA
scientists who are acknowledged experts in the
area.
B. Review Criteria
The applications will be evaluated using the
following criteria:
• Quality of research plan (including theoretical
and/or experimental design, originality, and
creativity)
• Qualifications of principal investigator and staff
including knowledge of subject area
• Potential contribution to scientific knowledge
• Availability and adequacy of facilities and
equipment
• Budgetary justification
A written summary of the scientific review and
recommendation by the Panel will be provided each
applicant.
V. METHOD OF APPLYING
Application forms, instructions, and other pertinent
information are contained in the EPA Research Grant
Application/Information Kit. The kits are available from:
Research Grants Staff
Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675)
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
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The original and eight copies of the application must be
received no later than close of business, December 17,
1986, to be considered. The applications should be sent
to the above address for the attention of Dr. George R.
Simon.
VI. STAFF CONTACT
Questions relating to this solicitation may be directed to
Dr. George R. Simon, (above address) or telephone (202)
382-7445.
Announcement
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: RFA
TITLE: Effects of A ir Pollutants on Forests
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE: January 9, 1987
I. BA CKG ROUND IN FORM A TION
This RFA solicits research on the effects of
atmospherically deposited ozone, hydrogen peroxide,
metals, and organics on trees and forests.
Reports that atmospheric deposition was responsible for
a widespread decline of forests in Europe, and recent
reports of unexplained declines of forests in the U.S. are
largely responsible for national concern regarding the
possible effects of acidic deposition in this country.
Considerable research is underway in EPA and
elsewhere to determine the effects on forests of acid
rain (atmospherically deposited sulfur and nitrogen).
This RFA addresses areas not covered in the current
research program.
//. GOALS AND SCOPE
Ozone concentrations are reported to cause foliar injury
and suppress the growth of sensitive tree species,
notably Ponderosa pine in southern California and
eastern white pine in eastern North America. There are
insufficient data, however, to define the nature, extent,
and magnitude of 63 effects on forests of the U.S. and to
predict future effects if Oa concentrations remain
constant, increase, or decrease. Forests are exposed to
other wet and dry atmospherically deposited pollutants
including HaOz metals, and organics that may be toxic at
ambient concentrations. Research is encouraged to
determine if ambient, or slightly elevated,
concentrations of these compounds (ozone, hydrogen,
peroxide, metals, and organics), alone or in combination
with other air pollutants, are toxic to forest vegetation.
Research should be primarily at the physiological or
predictive (modeling) level. For example, physiological
and biochemical studies could be conducted to
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determine the mechanisms by which any or all
pollutants (03, H202, metals, organics) influence plant
performance. Studies could include rates of and factors
affecting pollutant uptake, carbon acquisition and
allocation, water use efficiency, and efficient nutrient
acquisition and utilization. Research could address the
physiological and ecological mechanisms underlying
variation in pollutant effects as a function of species,
genetics, and leaf and tree age. Studies could include
research to determine the influence of climactic or
edaphic factors on plant response to the atmospherically
deposited pollutants as well as mechanisms whereby
pollutants render plants more or less susceptible to
environmental, edaphic, and biotic stresses. Information
from the above types of studies may be used with or
linked to physiological processes or tree models.
///. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APPLICANTS
Proposals should include'
1. Clearly stated hypotheses and relevant
experimental questions.
2. Definition of data and analyses needed to
scientifically evaluate the hypotheses and
questions.
3. Estimated date that data would be available to
EPA scientists in the form of a verified data base,
operational model, and or in a draft report.
4. If appropriate, state the relationship of your
proposed research with other ongoing, relevant
research (especially EPA research on crops and
forests). [For summaries of current forestry/crops
research, contact Director, ERL-Corvallis, 200
S.W. 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333 or (503)
757-4600/4609].
IV. MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT
Assistance under this RFA will be through the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Research Grants
Program, and thus limited to non-profit research
organizations and educational institutions.
Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution
of the proposed research will be solely that of the
applicant. It is estimated that $600,000 or more will be
available from Fiscal Year 1987 funds for the first year
of support. It is expected that approximately six
proposals will be supported through these funds. The
project period request for support should not exceed
three years in duration. This RFA is for a single
competition with a deadline of January 9, 1987, for
receipt of applications.
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V. REVIEW PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
—Review Procedures
Applications in response to this solicitation will be
reviewed together on a nationwide basis. The review
will be conducted by a scientific peer panel which will
evaluate and rank each proposal according to its
scientific merit as a basis for recommending Agency
approval or disapproval. The Panel will be composed
primarily of non-EPA scientists who are acknowledged
experts in the area.
—Review Criteria
The applications will be evaluated using the following
criteria:
• Quality of research plan (including theoretical and/or
experimental design, originality, and creativity)
• Qualifications of principal investigator and staff
including knowledge of subject area
• Potential contributions to scientific knowledge
• Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment
• Budgetary justification
A written summary of the scientific review and
recommendations by the Panel will be provided each
applicant.
VI. METHOD OF APPLYING
Applications forms, instructions, and other pertinent
information are contained in the EPA Research Grant
Application/Information Kit. The kits are available from:
Research Grants Staff
Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675)
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
The original and eight copies of the application must be
received no later than close of business, January 9,
1987, to be considered. The applications should be sent
to the above address for the attention of
Dr. Louis Swaby.
VII. STAFF CONTACT
Questions relating to this solicitation may be directed to
Dr. Louis Swaby (above address) or telephone (202)
382-7445.
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Appendix A: Laboratories of The Office of Research and
Development, USEPA
Health Effects Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919)541-2281
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
P.O Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV89114
(702)798-2100
Water Engineering Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
(513)569-7951
Environmental Research Laboratory
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rl 02882
(401)789-1071
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919)541-2106
Environmental Research Laboratory
Sabine Island
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
(904)932-5311
Hazardous Waste Engineering Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
(513)569-7418
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
(513)569-7301
Environmental Research Laboratory
200 SW 35th Street
Corvallis, OR 97333
(503)757-4601
Environmental Research Laboratory
College Station Road
Athens, GA30613
(404)546-3154
Environmental Research Laboratory
6201 Congdon Boulevard
Duluth, MN 55804
(218)727-6692
Atmospheric Sciences Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919)541-2191
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Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
(919)541-2821
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
P.O. Box 1198
Ada, OK 74820
(405)332-8800
23
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