Protection
EPA 600 8-84 024
Sept 1984
                Jevelopment
wEPA    Solicitation for
          Research Grant
          Proposals

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                Exploratory Research Grants
Introduction    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged,
                  through a series of laws and executive orders, with
                  protecting human health and environmental quality and
                  finding a comprehensive approach to solving other
                  environmental problems associated with toxic and
                  hazardous substances. The specific decisions on how
                  best to accomplish these mandates require that a series
                  of complex scientific, technical, economic, and political
                  judgments be made. The complexity of the environment
                  makes it apparent that solutions to environmentally-
                  related problems often require more basic or
                  fundamental research than would normally be expected
                  in a response-directed research program. A primary
                  goal, therefore, of EPA's Office of Research and
                  Development (ORD) is to develop new knowledge and
                  principles which can be used to address and  resolve
                  environmental problems. ORD is particularly interested
                  in long-range strategic research issues to address
                  emerging environmental problems. Such issues could
                  include:

                  — how to more accurately assess the adverse health
                     effects of criteria and noncriteria air pollutants
                  — improving risk assessment methodology to
                     accurately assess hazards to health of chemicals in
                     the environment
                  — determining how much of a change in UV-B
                     radiation is  tolerable to health, plants and the
                     aquatic food chain
                  — developing technologies which can serve as alterna-
                     tives to land disposal of hazardous substances
                  — determining what technologies are needed to assure
                     safety to humans and the environment from
                     microbial agents including products of biotechnology
                  Consequently, ORD supports environmentally related
                  research, development, and demonstration efforts
                  through its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. and
                  its laboratories throughout the United States. In
                  addition to the work conducted in its own facilities, EPA
                  sponsors research elsewhere in the scientific and
                  academic community—through cooperative
                  agreements, negotiated contracts, and research grants.
                  This solicitation relates only to the research grants
                  procedures as administered by the ORD's Office of
                  Exploratory Research. Grants are important means by
                  which EPA underwrites research on environmental
                  topics in the academic sector. This document discusses

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                  research areas of interest to EPA and the procedures
                  for applying for such grant assistance. Particiation in
                  the research grants assistance program does not
                  preclude individuals or institutions from engaging in
                  EPA-sponsored research supported through cooperative
                  agreements or contracts with ORD laboratories. Those
                  interested in these aspects of EPA's research and
                  development program 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 and topics of the
                  exploratory research grants assistance program. The
                  principal areas of interest are:

                   • Environmental Ecology, Biology, and Microbiology
                   • Environmental Health
                   • Environmental Engineering
                   • Environmental Chemistry, Physics and
                     Measurements
                  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
Procedures
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-21 6)
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
      401 M  Street, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
                        or
                        Research Grants Staff
                        Office of Exploratory Research (RD-675)
                        Office of Research and Development
                        401 M Street, S.W.
                        Washington, DC 20460

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                   Fully-developed research proposals, prepared in
                   accordance with instructions in the Application for
                   Federal Assistance Form No. 5700-1 2, should be sent
                   to:

                         Grants Administration Division (PM-21 6)
                         U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                         401 M Street, S.W.
                         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 nine copies are needed. Informal, incomplete, or
                   unsigned proposals will not be considered.

                   There are no deadlines for  submitting research grant
                   applications. Proposals will be evaluated, however, at
                   regular (approximately semi-annual) intervals (see table
                   below). Applicants  may contact the appropriate Science
                   Review Administrator, whose name appears at the end
                   of each subject area description, for dates of the next
                   sceduled peer review panel meetings.


Solicitation
Publication
September
(Selected
program
announcements
issued as needed. 1

Application1'
Closing
Date(s)
Oct. /Nov.
Mar. /Apr.




Panel
Review
Meeting
Jan. /Feb.
June/July





Relevancy
Review
Mar. /Apr.
Aug. /Sept.



Earliest Date
for
Notification
of Award
June
November



 *Whi/e applications are accepted year round, to be
  considered by a specific review panel, applications
  should be received no later than the dates mentioned
  above.
Both are 8 month cycles.
Eligibility       A research grant application will be considered when a
                  fully developed proposal is submitted on the required
                  Application for Federal Assistance Form 5700-12, pro-
                  vided that

                   • The proposed project is for research (as opposed to
                     development, demonstration, surveying, or prepara-
                     tion of materials and documents),
                   • The proposed project directly pertains to EPA's mis-
                     sion.

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                   • The proposed project is of a long-term nature, which
                     addresses fundamental aspects of problems which
                     do not necessarily lend themselves to quick
                     solutions, and
                   • 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 the 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 cost-sharing funds  may not be
                  taken from other Federal sources.

                  Investigators at minority institutions and those who
                  have not previously received support are encouraged to
                  submit applications (See Special sections).
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 appro-
                  priate peer review panel(s). 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 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

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Proposals which receive the panel's approval based
upon scientific merit are further evaluated by EPA
officials for relevance to the Agency's missions and
budget appropriations. A summary of the scientific
review and recommendation of the panel(s) will be
provided each applicant.

Applicants recommended for approval are notified of
the results of the funding decisions as soon as possible.

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                Exploratory Research Grants
Environmental
Ecology,
Biology, and
Microbiology
                  The objective of the Environmental Ecology, Biology, and
                  Microbiology Research Program is to promote the
                  understanding of the fate and effects of pollutants and
                  pollution abatement practices on ecosystem processes.
                  The approach can be based upon both  specific and
                  interdisciplinary efforts on temporal and spatial scales.
                  This knowledge is desired in order to provide a scientific
                  basis for making regulatory decisions and policy.
                  Areas of interest include but are not limited to:

                  • Ecological Processes
                    — The cycling, including sorption/desorption, of pol-
                       lutants and biodegradation products with long
                       time constants in biological systems and ecologic
                       processes.
                    — The relationship of ecological genetics and
                       selection processes as they are influenced by the
                       impact of pollutants upon ecosystem properties.
                    — The differential importance of the components of
                       ecosystems to the whole. Studies are solicited
                       which assess the vulnerability of ecosystem com-
                       ponents to damage and the relative ability of the
                       ecosystem to recover.

                  • Problem  Oriented Research

                    — Screening methods for predicting fate and toxicity
                       of chemicals, including chemical mixtures at low
                       concentrations. The development of systems and
                       models (including the structure-activity concept)
                       through which persistence, bioaccumulation, toxic-
                       ity, and biodegradation may be predicted.

                    — Studies in support of ecological risk assessment.

                    — Studies in support of the development of new
                       methodology in ecological assessment and
                       multiple criteria decision models.

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   —  Studies to define critical environmental endpoints
      in multiple stable state systems which are
      indicative of environmental damage.
   —  Studies delineating the effects of gaseous and
      paniculate air pollution on forests, crops, and
      receiving waters and their biota.
   —  Studies to examine the mechanisms by which
      major pollutants combine to alter plant growth
      and produce pathology in plants.
   —  Knowledge  of the environmental effects of large-
      scale (extensive and/or intensive) pesticide use
      and biotechnologies to ameliorate the unwanted
      effects of anthropogenic substances.
   —  Studies of pollution impacts on biotic resources in
      cold-climate ecosystems including the tundra and
      estuarine areas.
   —  Studies on the sublethal effects of toxic chemicals
      and biodegraded products on the behavior of
      biota.
   —  Modeling studies to develop new qualitative and
      quantitative methodologies for application to
      ecological and microbiological research.

•  Techniques Development
   —  Techniques that will permit demonstration of
      laboratory findings and model verification  under
      field conditions especially in the area of biological
      availability and effects of contaminants.
   —  Determining the pathways and impacts of
      genetically engineered microorganisms which
      enter environmental systems.
   —  Studies defining the pathways and intermediate
      products in  bacterial degradation and recycling of
      organic wastes.

For further information of a  procedural nature, please
contact:

      Rufus Morison, Ph.D.
      Associate Science Review Administrator
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RD-675)
      401 M Street, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
      (202)382-5750

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Environmental
Health
                  The objective of the Environmental Health Research
                  Program is to obtain and provide a scientific basis upon
                  which the Agency can make regulatory decisions
                  concerning the protection of human health from
                  environmental pollutants. The principal concern is to
                  determine whether, and to what extent, exposure to
                  various  pollutants contributes to environmentally
                  related health problems.

                  Areas of interest include but are not limited to:


                  • General Areas of Research
                     — Broad, interdisciplinary studies of chemical,
                        physical, and microbial agents, the agent's  route
                        and fate in the organism, and also the effects on
                        the whole organism as well as the target organ.
                     — In vivo and in vitro studies for developing and
                        validating  rapid, reproducible, and sensitive
                        screening  tests that can be used to assess
                        potential toxicity.
                     — Long-term studies of chronic, low-level exposure
                        to pollutants and the subsequent incidence of
                        chronic degenerative diseases including
                        neurological and cardiovascular disorders,
                        chronic bronchitis and emphysema, renal disease,
                        arthritis and cancer.
                     Improved Models and Methodologies for Risk
                     Assessment Data Bases
                     — Studies directed toward improved extrapolations
                        from high-to-low doses and from animal models
                        to humans.
                     — Development of human assays of toxic exposure
                        including biochemical, behavioral, and neural
                        effects.
                     — More extensive development of in vivo and in
                        vitro assays for  all classes of potentially toxic
                        chemicals considered relevant to humans at risk.
                     — Studies to determine the body burden and effects
                        of ingested chemical and  physical toxic agents.
                     — Studies on the kinetics of the metabolism  and
                        excretion of ingested and otherwise contacted
                        toxic compounds monitored in  human tissue.

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• Toxic Agents
    -  Studies that define at the cellular level the kinetic
      transformaton of important toxic agents in the
      environment.
  —  Development  of more sensitive techniques for
      measuring chemical and physical toxic agents
      and their metabolites in biological media.
  —  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.

• Studies Concerning Populations
  —  Studies that concentrate on the effects (other
      than mortality such as genotoxicity, behavior
      impairment, etc.) of pollutants on populations.
  —  Identification  of and effects on target populations
      at risk from exposure to toxic agents.
  —  Development  of biological markers in populations
      to improve early detection of exposure and future
      chronic disease, and to estimate their sensitivity
      vs. specificity.

• Studies Concerning Individuals
  —  Studies to determine the adverse effects of
      environmental toxicants on the immune function,
      and ways to enhance immune response.
  —  Investigations of the role of adaptation (e.g.,
      changes in metabolism) as a possible
      compensating mechanism to toxicity.
  —  Studies to determine the effect of predisposing
      factors (e.g., genetic, hormonal, nutritional
      factors, biological rhythms, previous exposure,
      disease state, etc.) on organism reaction to toxic
      agents.

For  further information of a procedural nature, contact:

      George R. Simon, Ph.D.
      Science Review Administrator
      Clyde Bishop, M.S.
      Associate Science Review Administrator
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RD-675)
      401 M Street, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
      (202)382-5750

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Environmental
Engineering
                  The Environmental Engineering Research Program
                  reflects Agency research activities in multimedia (solid,
                  liquid, gaseous) pollution control approaches. This
                  includes emissions reduction/control processes
                  associated with hazardous material and energy
                  production, and conservation, increased efficiencies,
                  recycle, and reuse.

                  Areas of interest include but are not limited to:

                  • Fundamental mechanisms in drinking water  and
                    municipal and/or  industrial wastewater treatment
                    and pollution control:
                    — Disinfection, detoxification and/or removal of
                       pollutants and toxic substances.
                    — Reaction kinetics end by-products identification of
                       alternatives  to chlorine.
                    — Improvements in sludge digestion and gas
                       production.
                    — Sludge stabilization, dewatering, including
                       disposal  in the marine environment.

                  • Development of innovative new technology in
                    drinking water and municipal and/or industrial
                    wastewater treatment and pollution control:
                    — In-plant unit process operations minimizing or
                       eliminating toxics generation and release to the
                       environment.
                    — Groundwater decontamination.
                    — Production of genetically engineered organisms
                       for degradation of toxic and/or hazardous wastes
                       in contaminated water, ground water, and
                       sediments and for improving biological treatment.

                  • Development of predictive techniques for the release
                    of and exposure to toxic chemicals.

                  • Development of cost effective measures to contain
                    and destroy genetically engineered organisms.

                  • Development of rapid, cost effective biomonitoring
                    techniques for water supply and wastewater
                    treatment systems.

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•  Research on methods of mitigating environmental
   problems such as mitigating the effects of acid rain.


•  Innovative residuals control
    -  Municipal water and wastewater sludge volume
      reduction and final disposal practices which lower
      concentrations of pathogens, parasites, heavy
      metals, and synthetic organics; recovery
      techniques for metals from industrial sludges,
   —  Handling and disposal of hazardous solid wastes,
      including detoxification, solidification, and
      otherwise fixing organic waste before disposal in
      secure landfills.
   —  Improved landfill construction methods and
      materials and improved monitoring methods.
   —  Clean-up techniques (e.g., in-situ treatment) for
      contaminated soils, structures, and surface and
      groundwater.
   —  Improved thermal destruction (incineration) or
      other treatment techniques, e.g., biological or
      chemical, for the final disposition of hazardous
      materials.
   —  Predictive models for products of incomplete
      combustion in hazardous waste incineration.


•  Air pollution control technology exploratory research:
   —  The role of electrostatic charges on airborne
      particles which affect their ability to
      "coagulate/condense"  into larger particles in
      ambient air or flue gases.
   —  Condensation aerosol formation and capture
      mechanisms.
   —  Low cost retrofit SO* and/or NOX control.
   —  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 particulate matter, NOX,
      and SOx in combustion processes.
   —  Innovative approaches for reduction of indoor air
      pollution.
   —  Methods for control of nitroaromatics and other
      extraordinarily active mutagens from combustion
      sources.
   —  Innovative controls to reduce hazardous
      emissions from residential wood burning.
   —  Control of hazardous VOC from fuels.
   —  Continuous techniques for monitoring stack
      emissions and volume flow rate.

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   —  Monitoring methods for specific hydrocarbons
      emissions, including flares and fugitive
      emissions.

•  Fundamental incineration/combustion research:
   —  Flame reactions, propagation, and quenching
      mechanisms.
   —  Fundamental investigation of combustion
      processes as related to incineration of hazardous
      wastes.
   —  Investigation of selective and non-selective
      catalysts for control of NOX and organic
      particulate matter in high temperature
      combustion processes.


For further information of a  procedural nature, please
contact:

      Donald F. Carey, B.S.
      Science Review Administrator
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RD-675)
      401 M Street, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
      (202)382-5750

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Environmental
Chemistry.
Physics, and
Measurements
                  The objectives of the Environmental Chemistry,
                  Physics, and Measurements Research Program are to
                  develop, improve, and test the theories and concepts on
                  which the methods, tools, and models required for
                  environmental protection decisions are based. Of
                  primary concern are new or improved concepts of
                  extracting, concentrating, identifying, and quantifying
                  trace amounts of organic and inorganic chemicals in
                  complex environmental samples; the scientific
                  understanding of the basic processes by which
                  pollutants are transported, transformed, degraded, or
                  otherwise distributed in all (air, water, soil)
                  environmental media; new or simplified concepts for
                  quantitatively characterizing natural  environments so
                  that model representations  preserve the structure and
                  the functional relationships essential in predicting the
                  fate and impact of toxic and hazardous chemicals; and
                  new concepts for predicting the fate and effects of
                  chemicals based on molecular structure.

                  This program is divided into:

                   /, RESEARCH ON AIR POLLUTION
                  II, RESEARCH ON POLLUTION OF FRESHWA TER,
                     MARINE/ESTUARINE WATERS, GROUND-WATERS,
                     SOILS, AND SEDIMENTS.

                  Areas of interest include but are not  limited to:

                   /. AIR POLLUTION
                     — Studies on acid rain: its formation, sources,
                        distribution, climatic and atmospheric dynamics,
                        and other physical factors conducive to the
                        creation and transport of acidic substances in air
                        particulates and in aqueous droplets.
                     — Studies of the physical structure and chemical
                        composition of fine particulates that contribute
                        substantially to widespread visibility reduction.
                        Studies on how these particulates are formed,
                        transported, and removed from the atmosphere.
                     — Studies on ozone formation in  the atmosphere
                        involving complex photochemical reactions of
                        volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.

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Studies on the collection and analysis of fine or
inhalable particulates with emphasis upon
carbonaceous materials
Studies on deposition phenomena, in particular
on dry deposition, which figure prominently in the
loss terms of mathematical models of air
pollution.
Studies on potentially hazardous indoor air
pollutants including radon from all sources.
Research should determine the species and
ranges of exposure concentrations for statistically
significant samples of various indoor settings.
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.
Development of models capable of quantifying
pollutant concentrations or deposition rates over
urban, mesoscale and large areas (such as acid
rain, regional oxidants, inhalable paniculate and
other models). Probabilistic modeling of
atmospheric phenomena will be emphasized.
Improved methods for evaluating and comparing
performances of air quality simulation models.
Emphasis will be placed on development of
evaluative techniques that employ formal
statistical procedures.
Continued development and refinement of
receptor model techniques for estimating the
concentrations of ambient particulates
attributable to specific sets of emission
categories. Development of new receptor model
techniques as well as improved measurement
methods for  attainment of source and ambient
characteristics which are employed in these
models  is encouraged.
Development of reliable models for predicting
ground  based pollutant concentrations  in complex
terrain from  single and  multiple sources.
Assessment and quantification of the role of solid
aerosols in atmospheric reactions. This subject
should be studied to determine the role of solid
aerosols in air pollution chemistry.
Development of instruments or devices for
continuous and discontinuous sampling of
inhalable particulates, for volatile organic
compounds,  for exposure monitoring and/or for
indoor air pollution studies.
Development of methods for the direct  analysis of
organic compounds in the gaseous and solid
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      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.

For further information of a procedural nature, please
contact:

      Robert Papetti, Ph.D.
      Science Review Administrator
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RD-675)
      401 M Street, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
      (202)382-5750

//.  RESEARCH ON FRESHWA TER,
   MARINE/ESTUARINE WATERS, SOILS. GROUND
   WA TERS, 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 and for use  in the
     design, control, or clean-up of hazardous waste
     disposal sites, landfills,  waste lagoons, land
     treatment operations, and other sources of
     ground-water contamination.
     — Research is needed to identify and  characterize
        the major transport,  transformation and
        sorption/desorption  mechanisms when wastes
        or other contaminants are introduced into soil
        systems that are intermittently saturated with
        water or other solvent materials, and likewise
        in saturated soil systems.
     — Research directed toward understanding the
        kinetics of contaminant transport and
        transformation in the subsurface as a
        prerequisite to the development of techniques
        for predicting environmental exposure to these
        contaminants. Studies should include the
        relative importance of chemical,  physical, and
        biological processes  in transport phenomena,
        including plant uptake and growth.
     — Research on the mechanism of and conditions
        for biological transformation in the subsurface,
        including methods for identifying,
        characterizing and enumerating  subsurface
        microorganisms.
     — Research directed toward characterizing
        subsurface properties as a scientific basis for
        determining subsurface processes, including
        determination of surface areas of geologic
        materials, characterization of such  surfaces
        and delineation of chemical compositions of

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      subsurface materials affecting various
      processes

•  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 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 transport of sediments
      particularly fine-grained materials, flocculation
      and deflocculation of organic and inorganic
      materials, the mechanics of resuspension and
      deposition of particulates, and the modification
      by cohesive materials of turbulence as it
      affects resuspension and deposition.
   —  Studies on the  rates and mechanisms for
      abiotic transformations of toxic chemicals in
      natural waters with emphasis on the reactions
      involving naturally-occuring materials
      including 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 mathematical 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 new
   measurement and monitoring techniques
   including instrumentation,  for increasing sample
   through-put, sensitivity, and selectivity, and for
   field use.
   —  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.

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     — 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.

   • Research in biology, microbiology and virology to
     develop new biomonitoring techniques including
     instrumentation for ascertaining ambient water
     quality conditions.

For further information of a procedural nature, please
contact:

      Louis Swaby, Ph.D.
      U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (RD-675)
      401 M Street, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
      (202)382-5750
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            Special Research Grant and Student
                      Fellowship Program
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
                  long-term 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 1 2320, 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. 1 2320, and identified by the Secretary of the
                     Department of Education as Historically Black
                     Colleges and Universities.

                  • In contrast to the regular grants program, pre-
                     application 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 Korm (5700-12), 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 Fellowship Assistance
                   • Consideration will be given only to applicants who
                     are enrolled and in good standing with an eligible
                     institution (HBCU).

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•  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 toward and
   commitment to a career in the Physical Sciences
   (Chemistry, Physics, Math, Engineering), Biological
   Sciences (human and non-human), 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 Special 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
   applicant 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
   \\spossessions, 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, S.W.
      Washington, DC 20460
      (202)382-5750
      or
      Clyde C. Bishop, Jr.
      Associate Science Review Administrator

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        Appendix A:
                          Laboratories of The Office of Research and
                          Development,  USEPA

                          Health Effects Research Laboratory
                          Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

                          Environmental Monitoring Systems Labortory
                          P.O. Box 15027
                          Las Vegas, NV89114

                          Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory
                          Cincinnati, OH 45268

                          Environmental Research Laboratory
                          South Ferry Road
                          Narragansett, Rl 02.882

                          Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
                          Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

                          Environmental Research Laboratory
                          Sabine Island
                          Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

                          Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
                          Cincinnati, OH 45268

                          Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
                          Cincinnati, OH 45268

                          Environmental Research Laboratory
                          200 SW 35th Street
                          Corvallis, OR 97333

                          Environmental Research Laboratory
                          College Station Road
                          Athens, GA 30613

                          Environmental Research Laboratory
                          6201 Congdon Blvd.
                          Duluth, MN 55804

                          Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory
                          Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

                          Industrial  Environmental Research Laboratory
                          Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

                          Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
                          P.O. Box 1198
                          Ada, OK 74820

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