P3 Award: National Student Design Competition for Sustainability

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ? as part of its People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Award Program ? is seeking applications proposing to research, develop, design, and demonstrate solutions to real world challenges. The P3 competition highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative technology-based projects that achieve the mutual goals of improved quality of life, economic prosperity, and protection of the planet ? people, prosperity, and the planet. The EPA offers the P3 competition in order to respond to the needs of people in the United States (U.S.)?e.g., those in small, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2019: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the auspices of the Office of Research and Development (ORD), invites submissions to the P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet. The P3 Program supports science-based projects and designs developed by interdisciplinary student teams at colleges and universities. These projects must embody the P3 approach, which is that they have the intention and capability to simultaneously improve the quality of people?s lives, provide economic benefits, and protect the environment.The P3 Award Program is composed of two phases that award grants on a competitive basis. The first phase is a competition for one-year grants to test, research, and develop innovative scientific projects or engineering designs that will use the P3 approach. Recipients of Phase I grant awards will have the opportunity to compete for Phase II grant awards. The Phase II grant awards are to support the demonstration and further development of the projects/designs created in the first phase of the program. The competitors for the P3 Phase II grants will be limited to those selected to receive support as a result of the Phase I competition. Challenges from a wide range of categories will be considered. These include: Air Quality; Safe and Sustainable Water Resources; Sustainable and Healthy Communities; and Chemical Safety.

Active 66.516 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16: 86. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16 est.: 38. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16: 33. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16 est.: 8. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the NCER P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3. Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16: 86. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16: 32. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16: 34. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16: 7. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the NCER P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2017 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 17: 88. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 17: 18. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 17: 30. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 17: 6. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the NCER P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2018 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 18: 59. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 18: 24. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 18: 26. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 18: 8. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the EPA/ORD P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3. Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442
Clean Water Act, Section 104
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, as amended by P.L. 106-74
Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended by P.L. 106-74
Clean Air Act, Section 103
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Section 102(2)(F)
Clean Air Act, Section 104
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERLCA), Section 311
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203 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 and private institutions of higher education (limited to degree-granting institutions of higher education) located in the U.S. (includes eligible institutions of higher education located in U.S. territories and possessions) are eligible to apply to be the recipient of a grant to support teams of undergraduate and/or graduate students. Profit-making firms are not eligible to receive assistance agreements from the EPA under this program. The students on the teams supported by the institution receiving the grant must be enrolled in the college, university, or post-secondary educational institution they will be representing at the time the proposal is submitted. Institutions are allowed to submit more than one application where each application represents a unique design concept and student team. For the purposes of grant administration, the team's faculty advisor will be designated the Principal Investigator throughout the P3 grant award and competition process. Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand its operations. Note that 2 CFR Part 200 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of "non-profit organization" because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education; and (ii) state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments. While not considered to be a "non-profit organization(s)" as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this program. State, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are not eligible to submit applications under this program. Under this competition, eligible nonprofit organizations are limited to research institutes and foundations that are part of or affiliated with a U.S. institution of higher education. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible to apply. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not 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 assistance agreement from the EPA to an FFRDC for 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 an assistance agreement. Federal employees may not receive salaries or augment their Agency's appropriations through awards made under this program unless authorized by law to receive such funding. The applicant institution may enter into an agreement with a Federal Agency to purchase or utilize unique supplies or services unavailable in the private sector to the extent authorized by law. Examples are purchase of satellite data, chemical reference standards, analyses, or use of instrumentation or other facilities not available elsewhere. A written justification for federal involvement must be included in the application. In addition, an appropriate form of assurance that documents the commitment, such as a letter of intent from the Federal Agency involved, should be included. Public Nonprofit Institutions/Organizations, Private Nonprofit Institutions/Organizations, Anyone/General Public, Education Professional, Student/Trainee, Graduate Student, Scientists/Researchers. EPA may request that students document their affiliation with an eligible institution. The EPA may also request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary resources to carry out the research. EPA may ask principal investigators for information documenting past performance. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. 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. 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 in the competitive announcement. When applicable, an environmental impact assessment is made by the Office of Research and Development as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. 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. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov. 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, and/or make appropriate proposal revisions. EPA Project Officers will contact Principal Investigators to obtain these materials. The official notification of an award will be made by the Agency's Grants and Interagency Agreement Management Division Specific information regarding deadlines is provided in the competitive announcement. From 120 to 180 days. Approximately three to six months from the close of the solicitation. 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). Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Not applicable. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing description (CFDA) will be described in the competitive announcement. The P3 program requests proposals for innovative research projects/designs from eligible institutions. The P3 Program supports EPA priorities by funding multi-disciplinary, faculty-led student teams that use the best available scientific knowledge and research results to address environmental problems identified by EPA’s program offices, states and tribal partners as being important, including small, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities. As a result, the P3 Program provides tested innovative solutions that stakeholders can use to help solve these problems. Not applicable. 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. The record retention requirements of 2 CFR Part 200 apply. 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. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. P3 Awards will be fully funded. Project period for Phase I will normally not exceed 1 year. Project period for Phase II will normally not exceed 2 years. Assistance is fully funded (lump sum). Applicants are encouraged to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or the contact listed on the solicitation. The solicitation may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/P3. Ron Josephson
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development/NCER, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 8725R)
Washington, DC 20460 US
josephson.ron@epa.gov
Phone: 202-564-7823 https://www.epa.gov/P3 68-0107-0-1-304 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 18$1,021,076.00; FY 19 est $761,600.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$992,076.00; FY 16$0.00; - Phase I Awards range from $12,198 to $15,000 total per grant. Average awards total $14,750. Phase II Awards range from $40,240 to $75,000 total per grant. Average awards total $72,000. 2 CFR Part 200 & 2 CFR Part 1500 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and Research and Demonstration Grant Regulations, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 40). Fiscal Year 2016 1. The purpose of the project is to develop a smart solar window that will be able to generate electricity and thereby substantially reduce HVAC power consumption. If successful, this project could represent an important step toward the development of fully carbon neutral buildings and communities. 2. This project will examine how a new sustainable concrete might alleviate corrosion of steel reinforcement in the presence of chloride. The new concrete will use the industrial waste product "chat" as a mineral additive and/or aggregate with positive environmental effects. The chat is expected to immobilize the chloride that corrodes concrete and at the same time render chat's hazardous component (lead) immobile. 3. This project will explore a technique to remediate nitrate pollution of surface water and groundwater systems. 4. The student team will develop a prototype reusable storm drain filter insert that will trap oil and sediments, thereby removing hydrocarbons and heavy metals from storm runoff. 5. The student team plans to develop wearable air quality sensors and a data dashboard that aggregates sensor data and analyzes data quality. The project aims to reduce demolition waste associated with current insulation technologies. The team proposes to use design-for-disassembly principles to develop a pre-fabricated system that uses benign materials and complementary manufacturing and disassembly processes to maximize the ability to reuse the components with only minor reprocessing. 2. Combine 3D virtual-prototyping technology with the Material Sustainability Index to increase efficiency and reduce waste starting at the apparel development stage. 3. This project aims to design, construct, and demonstrate a drinking water purification process that couples sand filtration with the natural protein, keratin, which will act as an adsorbent for removing heavy metals from water. 4. Study the effectiveness of catalytic de-coloration at low temperatures (<250 °C) using a bi-metallic catalyst, then convert the biphenyl into other more useful and less toxic chemicals, such as cyclohexyl benzene. 5. This project will study the practicality of using stormwater biofiltration to slow runoff and capture pollutants. The project will do laboratory studies to determine key design parameters to achieve biofilter resiliency and monitor for 18 months the hydrologic and pollutant removal of the existing biofilters in the test beds. It will develop a ethodology for determining the most effective media-plant combinations for biofiltration systems in particular settings.
Fiscal Year 2017 1. The project aims to reduce demolition waste associated with current insulation technologies. The team proposes to use design-for-disassembly principles to develop a pre-fabricated system that uses benign materials and complementary manufacturing and disassembly processes to maximize the ability to reuse the components with only minor reprocessing. 2. Combine 3D virtual-prototyping technology with the Material Sustainability Index to increase efficiency and reduce waste starting at the apparel development stage. 3. This project aims to design, construct, and demonstrate a drinking water purification process that couples sand filtration with the natural protein, keratin, which will act as an adsorbent for removing heavy metals from water. 4. Study the effectiveness of catalytic de-coloration at low temperatures (<250 °C) using a bi-metallic catalyst, then convert the biphenyl into other more useful and less toxic chemicals, such as cyclohexyl benzene. 5. This project will study the practicality of using stormwater biofiltration to slow runoff and capture pollutants. The project will do laboratory studies to determine key design parameters to achieve biofilter resiliency and monitor for 18 months the hydrologic and pollutant removal of the existing biofilters in the test beds. It will develop a methodology for determining the most effective media-plant combinations for biofiltration systems in particular settings.
Fiscal Year 2018 1. This project is using green chemistry to develop an additive that can improve the overall efficiency of solar disinfection techniques for drinking water purification. Many homes use solar disinfection as an in-home water treatment system. This project aims to create a more efficient solar water treatment technique through green chemistry. 2. The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a hydrothermal system that produces renewable fertilizer from seafood wastes. This technology can provide an added revenue stream for farmers and will reduce the amount of waste being landfilled. The green fertilizer produced from this technology can help the agricultural economy and curbs the need for sending seafood waste to landfills. 3. The objective of the project is to develop a sensor that enables online monitoring and control of the phosphorus removal process. The sensor will provide reliable and accurate real-time measurements of phosphate in wastewater and will simplify operations, increasing removal/recovery efficiencies and reducing chemical usage at wastewater facilities. The sensors developed through this project allow for better nutrient recovery in wastewater treatment plants and cost reductions in running these plants. 4. The proposed technology is to create a unique wastewater treatment system that is also able to produce algal biofilm, which can be used as feedstock for energy generation. The goals of this project are two-fold; to create a more effective and cost-efficient wastewater treatment system and use the output of that system as the feedstock for renewable energy production. 5. The project aims to create a lightweight, flexible, thin film solar panel that has applications beyond just building rooftops. This will increase solar power generation capacity and improve energy efficiency. By creating a more functional solar panel that can be used on multiple surfaces, this technology can increase solar power generation, while reducing emissions from conventional energy sources and will also reduce costs of installing traditional solar panels that are fragile and heavy.
Fiscal Year 2019 1. The project proposes to reduce/eliminate evaporative fuel vapor emissions from automobiles using a novel ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) photocatalyic process. The focus of this project is to improve air quality and health by reducing hazardous volatile organic compounds emitted from automobiles, especially in urban, high density traffic areas. 2. This project will develop a drinking water treatment material containing a magnetic support and an active biocomponent that can selectively remove toxic heavy metals, including arsenite, from water. 3. This project proposes developing an approach to reclaim water from urban runoff using a novel polyelectrolyte-based multifunctional forward osmosis membrane. The objective of this project is to investigate an integrated approach to reclaim water from urban runoff and augment potable water supplies. 4. This project will develop a novel process to control and mitigate harmful algal blooms (HABs) based on reactive nanobubble technology. 5. This project will design and develop a sensor that can determine low levels of lead at plumbing sources such as faucets.