Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program (66.514)
Program
66.514 Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Air Act, Section 103, as amended, Public Law 95-95, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq; Clean Water Act, Section 104, as amended, Public Law 95-217, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6981; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442, as amended, Public Law 93-523; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended 15 U.S.C. 2609; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, as amended 7 U.S.C. 136r; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 311, 42 U.S.C. 9660.
Program Number
66.514
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The National Center for Environmental Research (NCER), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is offering graduate fellowships for master's and doctoral level students in environmentally related fields of study. The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue careers in environmentally related fields. This goal is consistent with the mission of EPA, which is to provide leadership in the nation's environmental science, research, education, assessment, restoration, and preservation efforts. This program will benefit both the public and private sectors which will need a steady stream of well-trained environmental specialists if society is to meet the environmental challenges of the future. These fellowships are intended to help defray costs associated with advanced environmentally-oriented study leading to a master's or doctoral degree. Funding Priority: The STAR Graduate Fellowship Program provides funding for master's and doctoral degree students in environmental sciences and engineering. This competitive program is announced nationally. Applicants proposals are judged for scientific merit by external peer reviewers.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Fellowships).
Uses and Use Restrictions
All STAR fellowship awards are made in response to a competitive solicitation. Funds are to provide resources to allow for fellowships related to environmental issues. No matching funds are required.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must be citizens of the United States or its territories or possessions, or be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Resident aliens must include their green card number in their pre-application. EPA may choose to verify this number with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Students do not need to be enrolled in or formally accepted in a full-time graduate program at the time they apply for a fellowship, but proof of enrollment or acceptance must be produced prior to the award of the fellowship. Students must attend a fully accredited U.S. college or university. Students must be pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in an environmentally related field of specialization. Students who have completed more than one year in the master's program or four years in the doctoral program are not eligible. Students enrolled in a master's program, however, may apply for a doctoral fellowship. Employees of the U.S. government must be able to prove separation from Federal service before accepting this fellowship. Acceptance of this fellowship does not necessarily preclude acceptance of other scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or grant aid. However, this fellowship may not be awarded to anyone who will simultaneously be receiving other Federal assistance.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals who have demonstrated high scientific ability.
Credentials/Documentation
EPA may request that fellows document their affiliation with an eligible institution. The Agency may also request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, and experience in the field to carry out the fellowship.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
NCER invites pre-applications for graduate fellowships in academic disciplines relating to environmental research including engineering, public health, and ecological sciences. A pre-application provides the information needed for the review of its merit. Following the merit review, top rated applicants will be required to submit a brief formal application. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
Application Procedure
Completed pre-applications must be submitted to the: Environmental Protection Agency Peer Review Division, (8703R) Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 or as shown in the specific solicitation, which is accessible through the EPA/ORD/NCER website at http://www.epa.gov/ncer.
Award Procedure
Competitions will be conducted under EPA Order No. 5700.5, Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements (9/12/02). EPA will review pre-applications in accordance with the criteria specified in the solicitation.
Deadlines
As stated in the solicitation.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
As described in 40 CFR Part 46.215 and 46.220.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The term of a graduate fellowship is negotiated with students and customarily covers a period of 9 to 12 months for each fellowship year. Students seeking a master's degree may be supported for a maximum of two years. Students seeking doctoral degrees may receive support for a maximum of three years, available over a period of four years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for fellowships in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require annual, quarterly, or interim and final progress reports, final results, expenditure/financial, equipment, and invention reports. Reporting requirements are also identified in the fellowship regulations, 40 CFR Part 46.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 46 are applicable. All records related to a fellowship agreement must be maintained for three years after the completion date inserted on the Completion of Studies Notice (EPA Form 5770-9). EPA, the Inspector General, Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, has the right of timely and unrestricted access to documents, papers, or other records related to a fellowship, in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, transcripts and copies of such documents. The rights of access in this paragraph are not limited to the required retention period, but shall last as long as records are retained.
Program Accomplishments
An estimated 50 new competitive fellowship awards for the STAR Fellowship Program are made during each annual solicitation cycle. Abstracts of current awards and summary results of the research are available on the homepage: http://www.epa.gov/ncer.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0107-0-1-304.
Obligations
(Fellowships for the STAR Program) FY 02 $9,613,000; FY 03 $9,750,000; and FY 04 est $4,900,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Awards range from $6,000 to $37,000 annually per fellowship and average $30,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Fellowship Regulations, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 46).
Related Programs
66.607, Training and Fellowships for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Individuals are encouraged to communicate with the contact listed in the solicitation.
Headquarters Office
For information on fellowship applications and procedures, contact Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. To obtain further information via the Internet for the STAR Fellowship Program, click on "Fellowships" at http://www.epa.gov/ncer.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
See Web Page for previously funded projects under the STAR Fellowship Program: http://www.epa.gov/ncer.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Competitive pre-applications will be selected in accordance with announced criteria. The pre-applications and letters of recommendation will be reviewed by non-EPA experts from the appropriate field of study. Reviewers are recruited based on the specialty fields represented by the pre-applications. Students at each educational level will be evaluated on his or her potential for success in a graduate study program, based on the information provided in the pre-application as described under Mandatory Format for Pre-Applications (see solicitation at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer). The reviewers will consider academic records, recommendations, and career goals and objectives. Finalists will be selected for award of a fellowship based on the availability of funds, reviewers' evaluations, and program goals, such as distribution of awards across disciplines, institutions and geography, degree level being sought, and other possible indicators of program balance. See the Web page (http://www.epa.gov/ncer) for additional criteria on this year's solicitation.
