Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Program (66.509)

Program

66.509 Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Research and Development

Authorization

Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442, 42 U.S.C 300; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, 15 U.S.C 2609; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, 42 U.S.C 6981; Clean Air Act, Section 103, 42 U.S.C 7403; National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Section 102(2(F); Clean Water Act, Section 104, 33 U.S.C 1254; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, 7 U.S.C 136.

Program Number

66.509

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To (1) support research to determine the environmental and human health effects of air quality, drinking water, water quality, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides; (2) identify, develop, and demonstrate effective pollution control techniques; and (3) support research to explore and develop strategies and mechanisms for those in the social, governmental, and environmental arenas to use in environmental management decisions. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: The STAR Program will fund the highest quality academic research in the following priority areas:

(1) Air Quality: Novel Approaches to Improving Air Pollution Emissions Information; Air Research Centers.

(2) Human Health: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (with NIEHS); Exploring Linkages between Health Outcomes and Environmental Hazards, Exposures, and Interventions for Public Health Tracking and Risk Management; Understanding the Role of Nonchemical Stressors and Developing Analytic Methods for Cumulative Risk Assessments; Novel Approaches for Assessing Exposure for School-Aged Children in Longitudinal Studies.

(3) Ecosystem Protection/Water Quality: Enhancing Ecosystem Services From Agricultural Lands: Management, Quantification, And Developing Decision Support Tools.

(4) Drinking Water: Integrated Design, Modeling, and Monitoring of Geologic Sequestration of Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide to Safeguard Sources of Drinking Water; Innovative and Integrative Approaches for Advancing Public Health Protection Through Water Infrastructure for Sustainability.

(5) Endocrine Disruptors/Biotechnology/Computational Toxicology: Computational Toxicology Research Centers: in vitro and in silico Models of Developmental Toxicity Pathways; Biotechnology and Food Allergy (joint initiative with NIAID).

(6) Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology Research Grants: Joint US � UK Research Program: Environmental Behavior, Bioavailability and Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials.

In addition to the solicitations identified above, other solicitations may be announced in the coming year. Please check the NCER website: http://www.epa.gov/ncer for an updated listing of all solicitations.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) generally does not accept unsolicited proposals for the STAR program. All STAR awards are made in response to competitive requests for applications (RFAs) or requests for initial proposals (RFIPs). Funds awarded via grants/cooperative agreements are available for allowable direct cost expenditures incident to the performance of research plus allocable portions of allowable indirect costs of the institutions, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.

Some solicitations issued under this CFDA may allow for the submittal of Multiple Investigator applications. The applicability of Multiple Investigator applications will be described in the solicitations. For further information, please see the EPA Implementation Plan for Policy on Multiple Principal Investigators (http://rbm.nih.gov/toolkit.htm).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes public institutions of higher education and hospitals) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes private institutions of higher education and hospitals) located in the U.S.; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. National laboratories funded by Federal Agencies (Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, "FFRDCs") may not apply. FFRDC employees may cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation and regulations. They may participate in planning, conducting, and analyzing the research directed by the applicant, but may not direct projects on behalf of the applicant organization. The institution, organization, or governance receiving the award may provide funds through its grant from the EPA to an FFRDC for research personnel, supplies, equipment, and other expenses directly related to the research. However, salaries for permanent FFRDC employees may not be provided through this mechanism. Federal Agencies may not apply. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on a grant, and may not receive salaries or augment their Agency's appropriations in other ways through grants made by this program. Not-for-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. Profit-making firms are not eligible to receive grants from EPA under this program. See RFAs at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer for additional information pertaining to eligibility requirements.

Some solicitations issued under this CFDA may propose early career projects which support new, creative investigators with outstanding promise at the Assistant Professor or equivalent level. Principal investigators from applicant institutions applying for the early career portion of the applicable solicitation must meet the following eligibility requirements:

*Hold a doctoral degree in a field of science or engineering by the closing date of the solicitation;

*Be untenured at the closing date of the solicitation;

*By the award date, be employed in a tenure-track position (or tenure-track-equivalent position) as an assistant professor (or equivalent title) at an institution in the U.S., its territories, or possessions. Note: For a position to be considered a tenure-track-equivalent position, it must meet all of the following requirements: (1) the employing department or organization does not offer tenure; (2) the appointment is a continuing appointment; (3) the appointment has substantial educational responsibilities; and (4) the proposed project relates to the employee's career goals and job responsibilities as well as to the goals of the department/organization.

The purpose of early career projects are to fund research by the early career PI. Senior researchers may collaborate in a supporting role for early career projects. Early career applications should not propose significant resources for senior researchers and may not list senior researchers as co-PIs.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Public nonprofit institutions/organizations and private nonprofit institutions/organizations located in the U.S.; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; U.S. territories or possessions; Anyone/General Public, Education Professional, Student/Trainee, Graduate Student, Scientists/Researchers.

Credentials/Documentation

The EPA may request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out the research. EPA may ask applicants to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. EPA may also ask the lead principal investigator/contact principal investigator for information documenting past performance. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. When applicable, an environmental impact assessment is made by the Office of Research and Development as required by the National Environmental Protection Act. The standard application forms as furnished by the EPA and required by OMB Circulars No. A-102 and No. A-110 must be used for this program.This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Competitive RFAs or RFIPs for grants/cooperative agreements are announced widely through the Internet, university and scientific organizations, among other mechanisms. Applicants must propose EPA mission relevant research based on excellent science as determined through peer review by experts drawn from the national and international scientific community. Other more specialized scientific areas may be solicited via joint RFAs with other Federal agencies. The STAR program may fund research centers that focus on long-term, multi-disciplinary research. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circulars No. A-102 and No. A-110. Specific details on the application process are described in the solicitations which are located at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedure

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.Customarily, applicants are notified of award decisions within six months of the close of the RFA. After being recommended for award, applicants will be required to submit additional certifications and an electronic version of the revised project abstract, and may be requested to provide responses to comments or suggestions offered by the peer reviewers, a revised budget, past performance documentation, and/or make appropriate proposal revisions. EPA Project Officers will contact the Lead Principal Investigator/Contact Principal Investigator to obtain these materials. The official notification of an award will be made by the Agency's Grants and Interagency Agreement Management Division. Before or after award, certain applicants will be expected to provide additional quality assurance documentation.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 180 days.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are normally funded for a minimum of 2 years. Total approved project period may not exceed 5 years. Grants are generally fully funded or incrementally funded (on a annual basis). See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Assistance is either fully funded (lump sum) or incrementally funded on an annual basis.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. A grant recipient must agree to provide annual progress reports, with associated summaries for posting on NCER's web site, and a final report with an executive summary for web posting. A grant recipient must agree to provide copies of any peer reviewed journal article(s) resulting from the research during the project period. The recipient also agrees to provide expenditure and invention reports as appropriate. A discussion of expenditures is required in progress reports under this program. Performance Monitoring is required under this program.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (nonprofits and universities) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Applications received for the STAR Program - FY 08: 211; FY 09: 70. New awards for the STAR Program - FY 08: 54; FY 09: 22. Abstracts of current grant awards, and annual interim and final summary results of the research are available on the homepage: http://www.epa.gov/ncer. Fiscal Year 2009: Applications received for the STAR Program - FY 08: 211; FY 09: 70. New awards for the STAR Program - FY 08: 54; FY 09: 22. Abstracts of current grant awards, and annual interim and final summary results of the research are available on the homepage: http://www.epa.gov/ncer. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0107-0-1-304.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $38,500,000; FY 09 est $50,400,000; FY 10 est $52,400,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

New awards range from $185,000 to $5,000,000 total per grant and average $500,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

General Grant Regulations and Procedures, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31); Research and Demonstration Grant Regulations, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 40). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 (relocated to 2 CFR Part 225) for State and local governments, OMB Circular No. A-21 (relocated to 2 CFR Part 220) for educational institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-122 (relocated to 2 CFR Part 230) for nonprofit organizations.

Related Programs

66.511 Office of Research and Development Consolidated Research/Training/Fellowships

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or the contacts listed in the solicitations. Solicitations are located at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer.

Headquarters Office

William Stelz USEPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.
Mail Code: 8721F , Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: stelz.william@epa.gov Phone: 202-343-9802

Web Site Address

http://www.epa.gov/ncer

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: 1. Characterize coarse particle (CP) composition and origin and investigate the associations of CP mass concentrations and several health outcomes in a pair of urban and rural communities.

2. Better understand and predict the health and ecological risks of carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

3. Adapt and validate a rapid and accurate optical fiber-based technology for potentially toxic cyanobacterial species detection and enumeration in both laboratory and field settings.

4. Determine the extent to which the surface chemistry of functionalized nanoscale metal oxides is altered under oxidative and reductive environmental conditions and the degree to which such transformations modify the toxicity of functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles.

5. Establish novel methods to determine the occurrence of waterborne microbial contaminants by combining selected molecular methods using solid phase laser cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques (FISH).

See Web Page (http://www.epa.gov/ncer) for additional information on previously funded grants under the STAR program. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. See the web page (http://www.epa.gov/ncer) for additional information on the evaluative criteria for the RFAs.