AE FY20 Wildfires FINAL.pdf

COVID-19 Update: EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement Office of Research and Development Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program

INTERVENTIONS AND COMMUNICATION

STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HEALTH RISKS OF

WILDLAND FIRE SMOKE EXPOSURES

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Numbers:

EPA-G2021-STAR-G1, Interventions and Communication Strategies to Reduce Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures EPA-G2021-STAR-G2, Early Career: Interventions and Communication Strategies to Reduce Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Exposures

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: October 9, 2020 Solicitation Closing Date: December 15, 2020: 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time

Table of Contents

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Synopsis of Program Award Information Eligibility Information Application Materials Agency Contacts

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

B. Background C. Authority and Regulations D. Specific Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes E. References https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

F. Special Requirements

II. AWARD INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing C. Other

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Grants.gov Submittal Requirements and Limited Exception Procedures B. Application Package Information C. Content and Form of Application Submission D. Submission Dates and Times E. Funding Restrictions F. Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Peer Review B. Relevancy Review C. Past Performance History Review D. Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS) Review E. Evaluation of the Scientific Data Management Plan F. Funding Decisions G. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Disputes C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Access Standard STAR Forms (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms) View research awarded under previous solicitations (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas)

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Synopsis of Program:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research that will address behavioral, technical and practical aspects of interventions and communication strategies to reduce exposures and/or health risks of wildland fire smoke.

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. Human subjects research supported by the EPA is governed by EPA Regulation 40 CFR Part 26 (Protection of Human Subjects). This includes the Common Rule at subpart A and prohibitions and additional protections for pregnant women and fetuses, nursing women, and children at subparts B, C, and D. Research meeting the regulatory https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas definition of intentional exposure research found in subpart B is prohibited by that subpart in pregnant women, nursing women, and children. Research meeting the regulatory definition of observational research found in subparts C and D is subject to the additional protections found in those subparts for pregnant women and fetuses (subpart C) and children (subpart D). All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS, as described in Section IV.C.6.c of this solicitation), and if the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.D and V.F of this solicitation.

Guidance and training for investigators conducting EPA-funded research involving human subjects may be obtained here:

https://www.epa.gov/osa/basic-information-about-human-subjects-research-0 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr26_main_02.tpl

The STAR Program’s goal is to stimulate and support scientific and engineering research that advances EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. It is a competitive, peer-reviewed, extramural research program that provides access to the nation’s best scientists and engineers in academic and other nonprofit research institutions. STAR funds research on the environmental and public health effects of air quality, environmental changes, water quality and quantity, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides.

In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards.

The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career PIs. It is expected that the majority of the research will be performed by early career investigators. Further, it is expected that significant resources will be allotted to early career investigators to perform the research. Please see Section III of this Request for Applications (RFA) for details on the early career eligibility criteria.

Award Information:

Anticipated Type of Award: Grant or cooperative agreement Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 9 total awards, approximately 5 regular and 4 early career awards Anticipated Funding Amount: Approximately $7.2 million total for all awards Potential Funding per Award: Up to a total of $1,000,000 for regular awards, and up to a total of $550,000 for early career awards, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of three years. Cost-sharing is not required. Applications with budgets exceeding the total award limits will not be considered.

Eligibility Information:

Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, public and 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. Special eligibility criteria apply to the early career award portion of this RFA. See full announcement for more details.

https://www.epa.gov/osa/basic-information-about-human-subjects-research-0 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr26_main_02.tpl

Application Materials:

To apply under this solicitation, use the application package available at Grants.gov (for further submission information see Section IV.F. “Submission Instructions and other Submission Requirements”). Note: With the exception of the current and pending support form (available at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms), all necessary forms are included in the electronic application package. Make sure to include the current and pending support form in your Grants.gov submission.

If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, you need to allow approximately one month to complete the registration process. Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a unique entity identifier (e.g., ‘DUNS number’) and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through Grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. This registration, and electronic submission of your application, must be performed by an authorized representative of your organization.

If you do not have the appropriate internet access to utilize the Grants.gov application submission process for this solicitation, see Section IV.A below for additional guidance and instructions.

Agency Contacts:

Technical Contact: Serena Chung; phone: 202-564-6069; email: chung.serena@epa.gov Eligibility Contact: Ron Josephson; phone: 202-564-7823; email: josephson.ron@epa.gov Electronic Submissions Contact: Debra M. Jones; phone: 202-564-7839; email:

jones.debram@epa.gov

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research that will address behavioral, technical and practical aspects of interventions and communication strategies to reduce exposures and/or health risks of wildland fire smoke. Specifically, the RFA seeks research that responds to one of the following research areas or integrates across the two research areas:

1. assess the effectiveness of various types of interventions in reducing exposures and associated health risks of wildland fire smoke exposure at the individual or community level; and

2. develop and assess the effectiveness of health risk communication strategies in supporting actions to reduce wildland fire smoke exposure.

https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms mailto:chung.serena@epa.gov mailto:josephson.ron@epa.gov mailto:jones.debram@epa.gov

In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards.

The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career PIs. Please see Section III of this RFA for details on the early career eligibility criteria.

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the Nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities;

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities;

3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at Hispanic-Serving Institutions;

4. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; (AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(b)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; and

5. Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions.

B. Background

Many communities in the U.S. experience smoke from wildland fires (prescribed fires and wildfires) for days, weeks, or even months in a given year and over multiple fire seasons. The frequency of and area burned by wildfires as well as the length of the wildfire season have been increasing across much of the western U.S. since the 1980s (Westerling et al., 2016), raising concerns that the number of individuals exposed to wildfire smoke episodes over the short term (i.e., days to weeks) as well as more extended periods of time will continue to increase. The number of individuals adversely impacted by wildfire fire smoke events is also expected to grow as the wildland urban interface (WUI) expands (Radeloff et al., 2018) and the number of at-risk populations (e.g. individuals with pre-existing heart and lung disease, older adults) increases.

Effective strategies are needed that can be implemented by individuals, groups, decision makers, and institutions to reduce exposures and health risks from wildland fire smoke.

https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4

Wildland fire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and particulate matter (PM). It has been associated, to varying degrees, with a range of adverse health outcomes, including increases in all-cause mortality, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, bronchitis, pneumonia, lower birth weight, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and emergency department visits for hypertension and cardiovascular illness, and symptoms such as eye irritation, sore throat, wheezing, and coughing (Reid et al., 2016; Cascio 2018). Certain populations may experience more severe effects due to existing health conditions and other social and demographic characteristics, although most healthy adults and children will recover quickly from wildland fire smoke exposure (Rappold et al., 2017; U.S. EPA, 2019a).

The health effects attributed to wildland fire smoke share commonalities with those described for ambient fine PM (PM2.5). The mechanisms for these effects are centered around the pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress potential of the particles and their ability to provide both local toxicity as well as extra-pulmonary effects, either after particle translocation or through the release of soluble components and/or bioactive mediators. Other mechanisms include altered autonomic control resulting in changes in homeostasis (Brook et al., 2010). Wildland fire smoke also contains gases, such as carbon monoxide, and a host of volatile and semi-volatile organic species, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aldehydes, and benzene that are known to produce adverse health outcomes. As wildfires are becoming more destructive and affect more WUI areas, the burning of homes, other structures, and vehicles release additional toxic constituents such as volatilized metals, dioxins, and cyanide gas (Jaffe et al., 2020).

Extensive scientific evidence has demonstrated health effects, such as increased emergency room visits for both respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes and premature mortality, in response to short-term (i.e., daily) PM2.5 exposure (U.S. EPA, 2019b). These effects have been supported by evidence from experimental studies, including measured decrements in pulmonary and immunological function and increased pro-inflammatory and cardiovascular signaling, which provide coherence and biological plausibility. While there are similarities between the health effects evidence for ambient PM2.5 and wildfire smoke, epidemiologic studies have not fully assessed the role of non-PM (i.e., gaseous) components of the wildfire smoke mixture in eliciting health effects. It also remains unclear whether there are differences in responses to cumulative exposure from repeated, multi-day exposures, or from multiple, consecutive fire seasons. In addition to overt health effects, wildfire events can also cause psychological stress and mental health concerns arising from threats to life, safety, property, and loss of routines. Individuals who have evacuated from past fires may also be susceptible to experiencing subsequent smoke events as traumatic reminders or “triggers” (Brown et al., 2019ab; Felix et al., 2015).

In response to the growing public health threat from wildfires, various guidance and tools have been developed or augmented to support the public and the public health community on protective actions. Examples include the Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials (U.S. EPA, 2019a), the Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires (https://www.epa.gov/smoke-ready-toolbox-wildfires) website, and the AirNow website (https://www.airnow.gov) and app. AirNow reports U.S. air quality information using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is accompanied by guidance on when and how to modify outdoor physical activity based on the AQI level (U.S.

https://www.epa.gov/smoke-ready-toolbox-wildfires) https://www.epa.gov/smoke-ready-toolbox-wildfires) https://www.airnow.gov/

EPA 2014, 2015ab). In addition to staying indoors, other commonly recommended measures include limiting infiltration from outdoors, reducing other sources of indoor pollution, cleaning the indoor air, and using personal protective equipment for some populations who have to be outdoors for extended times during smoke episodes.

During smoke episodes, indoor environments can experience different rates of infiltration of smoke based on a variety of factors. Consequently, staying indoors does not reduce smoke exposure to the same extent in all buildings. For example, homes with central air conditioning generally recirculate indoor air, resulting in lower concentrations of air pollutants from the outdoors compared to homes that use open windows for cooling. Central heating and air conditioning systems in many types of buildings also contain filters that remove some airborne particles with varying degrees of efficiency, and which can be used to mitigate smoke exposure.

The most widely used rating system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters in the U.S. is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). Higher rated MERV filters generally result in greater PM reductions although there is a large spread in reductions across buildings using filters with the same MERV rating. Building- and HVAC-specific factors play an important role in filter effectiveness, with building tightness, HVAC flow rate and runtime, filter loading, filter gaps/bypass, and filter face velocity all affecting particle removal efficiency (Alavy and Siegel, 2019; Li and Siegel, 2020b). Much less is known about the effect of using various types of room air conditioners (e.g., window units) and their air filters on smoke concentrations in homes.

Portable air cleaners using high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or electrostatic precipitators can also help reduce indoor particle levels during wildland fire smoke episodes, provided the specific air cleaner is properly matched to the size of the indoor space. Air cleaners can effectively reduce particle concentrations even in indoor spaces that are not served by central HVAC systems if windows and doors remain closed and excessive heat is not a concern (e.g., Fisk and Chan 2017). Some filter-based air cleaners can also have activated carbon as a gas-phase pre-filter to help remove some gases from the air. Air cleaners can be used in combination with central air system filter upgrades to maximize the reduction of indoor particles. More information on in-home air filtration is provided in Residential Air Cleaners: A Technical Summary (U.S. EPA, 2018).

Public cleaner air spaces and shelters are examples of exposure mitigation approaches that can be implemented at the community level (U.S. EPA 2019a; British Columbia CDC, 2014). These community cleaner air spaces and shelters may be in commercial or community buildings with upgraded air filtration systems where groups of people can gather for temporary relief from high smoke concentrations. Practical considerations regarding the effectiveness of these spaces and shelters include air tightness of the building, effectiveness of the existing HVAC system (including providing adequate ventilation for the increased occupancy), feasibility of installing higher efficiency filters, and potential ways to limit smoke infiltration.

Intervention studies suggest that mechanical and electronic filtration devices, e.g., air cleaners, can be effective at improving indoor air quality, though their effectiveness in practice can be highly variable (e.g., Li and Siegel, 2020a). There are also limited studies that examine health outcomes related to the use of filtration devices under smoke conditions. In both cases, the literature generally focuses on evaluating specific technologies and has paid less attention to the use of these technologies through a systems lens, which includes human behaviors. Building managers’ decisions or behaviors influence occupants’ choices and exposures. The occupants who select and operate mechanical and electronic filtration technologies can affect the performance by the extent to which they appropriately select, operate, and maintain the technologies. Practical considerations that may limit full utilization of air cleaning technologies include control/access, energy usage, cost, noise, daily activity patterns, etc. Additionally, building functions and usage patterns (e.g., movement into and out of the building that affects air exchange rates) also influence what technologies are feasible and how well they could be utilized. There are limited studies on how filtration technologies perform during real-world wildfire smoke episodes that may last for weeks.

Health risk communication about wildland fire smoke is central to a comprehensive risk reduction strategy and is an important aspect of a public health response to smoke in communities, states, and regions that frequently experience significant wildland fire smoke intrusion (Hano et al., 2020; Olsen et al., 2014). Critical components of a public health risk communication campaign about smoke are messages that include accurate, actionable information to affected individuals when and where it is most useful, and motivate recipients to take recommended actions, e.g., stay indoors or use filtration devices. Despite the importance of communication for sharing exposure reducing strategies, there is a dearth of research on public health risk communication as part of an overall risk reduction strategy (e.g. Cascio, 2018, Fish et al., 2017). Much of the research focused on risk communication and wildland fire is related to fire management and response, with a growing interest in risk communication focusing on wildfire smoke (e.g., Steelman and McCaffrey, 2013; Steelman et al., 2015; Shindler et al., 2009;

Paveglio et al., 2009; McCaffrey et al., 2013).

Communicating effectively with intended audiences about wildland fire smoke is a challenge for public health, environmental, and air quality practitioners due to the complexity of air quality and smoke information, as well as the context in which individuals may experience smoke exposure. For example, risk communication may be disseminated in a disaster emergency context near a large-scale wildfire, related to routine agricultural or land management practices, or in a community that is hundreds of miles away yet still experiences smoke by way of long-distance transport of a smoke plume. Practitioners need empirical evidence that can inform the development and application of effective communication in supporting actions to reduce wildland fire smoke exposure. In particular, research is needed on effective communication strategies for populations that are more difficult to reach through traditional health risk communication methods. These may include rural populations with limited internet access and limited access to traditional media such as local papers, local radio, and local television; non- English speaking populations; homeless and transient populations; homebound individuals; etc.

For individuals who are affected by smoke, the volume of complex information available, and the potential for conflicting information across sources can pose a challenge to understanding the information and implications (Hano et al., 2020). Research that explores these challenges and effective strategies for overcoming them will help support broader efforts at reducing the public health burden from smoke exposure.

Research is needed that identifies and evaluates the extent to which comprehensive (technical, social, and behavioral) intervention approaches are effective for reducing wildland fire smoke exposure, and factors that may influence the effectiveness of those approaches. Given the applied nature of this topic, research that includes partnership with health and air quality agencies at the local, state, and tribal level, health care providers, social services agencies and organizations, and non-governmental organizations may enhance the integration of social, behavioral, and physical sciences pertinent to informing the development of intervention approaches.

U.S. EPA frequently seeks to coordinate research efforts with other federal agencies. Recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a special interest in stimulating research on interventions to reduce cardiopulmonary impacts of PM air pollution among high-risk populations (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HL-20-788.html). While not focused on wildfire smoke, the NIH announcement is complementary to the topics in this RFA and demonstrates wider federal interest in research on interventions to address the health impacts of air pollution.

C. Authority and Regulations

The authority for this RFA and resulting awards is contained in the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.

7403, Section 103(b)(3).

For research with an international aspect, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

Note that a project’s focus is to consist of activities within the statutory terms of EPA’s financial assistance authorities; specifically, the statute(s) listed above. Generally, a project must address the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of air pollution, water pollution, solid/hazardous waste pollution, toxic substances control or pesticide control depending on which statute(s) is listed above. Further note applications dealing with any aspect of or related to hydraulic fracking will not be funded by EPA through this program.

Additional applicable regulations include: 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 1500, and 40 CFR Part 40 (Research and Demonstration Grants).

D. Specific Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes

Note to applicant: The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective.

The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan (https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). Activities to be funded under this https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HL-20-788.html https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan announcement support Goal 3: Greater Certainty, Compliance, and Effectiveness, Objective 3.3:

Prioritize Robust Science, of EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will further EPA’s priorities supporting robust science for Air Quality. All applications must be for projects that support the goal and objective identified above.

EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements). Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the priorities described above.

The Agency is soliciting research that will address behavioral, technical and practical aspects of interventions and communication strategies to reduce exposures and associated health risks of wildland fire smoke, as described in the research areas below. Applications may respond to portions or all of one research area in detail or integrate across the two research areas.

Applications should clearly indicate which research area(s) the application is addressing.

Proposals that address more than one research area will not necessarily be rated more highly than those that address only one of the areas.

Research Area 1 – Sustainable Interventions to Reduce Exposures and Associated Health Risks from Wildland Fire Smoke

Research Area 1 seeks applications that assess the effectiveness of various types of individual and community-level interventions in reducing exposures and associated health risks of wildland fire smoke exposure. Central to reducing exposures and health risks are the efficacies of intervention approaches and how they are used in practice. Applications should incorporate behavioral, technical and practical aspects of interventions into the research design in addressing the topics below.

Applications may address any of the following topics:

a. What mix of individual and community-level interventions are most effective in reducing exposure and associated health risks? How do underlying social, cultural, economic, and regional or geographic factors impact the effectiveness of these interventions?

Interventions considered may include but are not limited to messaging, filtration, evacuation, cleaner air centers, access to localized monitoring and forecasting, aspects related to use of respirators and face coverings, etc.

b. How effective are air cleaning technologies at reducing exposure and associated health risks related to wildland fire smoke exposure and what behavioral, technical, and practical aspects influence their effectiveness?

Applications may consider the effectiveness and efficacy under various scenarios, such as:

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements

i. How does the effectiveness vary by particle concentration range or by durations of exposures?

ii. What is the effectiveness of air cleaning technologies in reducing exposure to the gas-phase component of smoke?

c. How is the effectiveness of air cleaning technologies influenced by building characteristics, building function, and behaviors and decisions of occupants and/or building managers?

Research Area 2 – Health Risk Communication Strategies to Inform Actions

Research Area 2 seeks applications that develop and assess the effectiveness of health risk communication strategies in supporting actions to reduce wildland fire smoke exposure.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to propose research with explicit consideration of populations at-risk of health effects attributed to wildland fire smoke exposure, harder-to-reach populations, or both. Harder-to-reach populations can be broadly defined as groups or individuals who may not receive communications delivered by the traditional communication channels, such as rural populations with limited internet access and limited access to traditional media such as local papers, local radio, and local television; homeless and transient populations, non-English speakers, homebound individuals, etc.

Applications may address any of the following topics:

a. What health risk communication strategies are most effective in supporting individuals to take informed actions that reduce their exposure to wildland fire smoke? Strategies may include but are not limited to communication and outreach campaign design, message content, delivery mechanisms, etc.

b. How can wildland fire smoke communication among organizations, systems, and communities improve outcomes that may support individuals taking informed actions to reduce exposures? What factors influence the effectiveness of those communications for the desired outcomes, including increased issue awareness among stakeholder organizations or improvements in community readiness for wildland fire smoke events?

Expected outputs include reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed journal publications describing improved understanding of what actions are effective for reducing health impacts related to wildland smoke exposure; what behavioral, technical, and practical aspects influence their effectiveness; and how best to communicate these actions to various groups. Additionally, outputs that are readily transferable to practical application are also expected; these may include outreach and communication materials such as sample social media messages, infographics, etc.

The expected outcomes EPA anticipates from this research include improved understanding of health risks related to wildland fire smoke, enhanced interventions to reduce the health risks, improved methods to communicate risks and actions, and ultimately reduced health burdens associated with wildland fire smoke exposure.

To the extent practicable, research applications must embody innovation and sustainability.

Innovation for the purposes of this RFA is defined as the process of making changes; a new method, custom or device. Innovative research can take the form of wholly new applications or applications that build on existing knowledge and approaches for new uses. Research applications must include a discussion on how the proposed research is innovative (see Section IV.C.6.a). The goal of sustainability, derived from the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), is to “create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.” Research applications must include a discussion on how the proposed research will seek sustainable solutions that protect the environment and strengthen our communities (see Section IV.C.6.a). Reviewers will draw from all of the above-mentioned innovation and sustainability definitions in the review/evaluation process of research applications (see Section V.A).

E. References

1. Alavy, M. and Siegel, J. A. IAQ and energy implications of high efficiency filters in residential buildings: A review (RP-1649), Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 25(3), 261–271, doi:10.1080/23744731.2018.1526012, 2019.

2. Allen, R. W., Adar, S. D., Avol, E., Cohen, M., Curl, C. L., Larson, T., Liu, L.-J. S., Sheppard, L. and Kaufman, J. D. Modeling the residential infiltration of outdoor PM2.5 in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air), Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(6), 824–830, doi:10.1289/ehp.1104447, 2012.

3. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. Evidence Review: Home and Community Clean Air Shelters to Protect Public Health During Wildfire Smoke Events.

http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Health- Environment/WFSG_EvidenceReview_CleanAirShelters_FINAL_v3_edstrs.pdf

4. Brook Robert D., Rajagopalan Sanjay, Pope C. Arden, Brook Jeffrey R., Bhatnagar Aruni, Diez-Roux Ana V., Holguin Fernando, Hong Yuling, Luepker Russell V., Mittleman Murray A., Peters Annette, Siscovick David, Smith Sidney C., Whitsel Laurie and Kaufman Joel D.

Particulate matter air pollution and cardiovascular disease, Circulation, 121(21), 2331–2378, doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e3181dbece1, 2010.

5. Brown, M. R. G., Agyapong, V., Greenshaw, A. J., Cribben, I., Brett-MacLean, P., Drolet, J., McDonald-Harker, C., Omeje, J., Mankowsi, M., Noble, S., Kitching, D. and Silverstone, P.

H. After the Fort McMurray wildfire there are significant increases in mental health symptoms in grade 7–12 students compared to controls, BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 18, doi:10.1186/s12888-018-2007-1, 2019b.

6. Brown, M. R. G., Agyapong, V., Greenshaw, A. J., Cribben, I., Brett-MacLean, P., Drolet, J., McDonald-Harker, C., Omeje, J., Mankowsi, M., Noble, S., Kitching, D. T. and Silverstone, P. H. Significant PTSD and other mental health effects present 18 months after the Fort

McMurray wildfire: Findings from 3,070 grades 7–12 students, Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00623, 2019b.

7. Cascio, W. E. Wildland fire smoke and human health, Science of The Total Environment, 624, 586–595, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.086, 2018.

8. Chen, C. and Zhao, B.: Review of relationship between indoor and outdoor particles: I/O ratio, infiltration factor and penetration factor, Atmospheric Environment, 45(2), 275–288, doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.09.048, 2011.

9. Cisneros, R. and Schweizer, D. W. The efficacy of news releases, news reports, and public nuisance complaints for determining smoke impacts to air quality from wildland fire, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 11(4), 423–429, doi:10.1007/s11869-018-0545-9, 2018.

10. Fish, J. A., Peters, M. D. J., Ramsey, I., Sharplin, G., Corsini, N. and Eckert, M.

Effectiveness of public health messaging and communication channels during smoke events:

A rapid systematic review, Journal of Environmental Management, 193, 247–256, doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.012, 2017.

11. Fisk, W. J. and Chan, W. R. Health benefits and costs of filtration interventions that reduce indoor exposure to PM2.5 during wildfires, Indoor Air, 27(1), 191–204, doi:10.1111/ina.12285, 2017.

12. Hano, M. C., Wei, L., Hubbell, B. and Rappold, A. G. Scaling up: Citizen science engagement and impacts beyond the individual, Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 5(1), 1, doi:10.5334/cstp.244, 2020.

13. Howard-Reed, C., Wallace, L. A. and Ott, W. R. The effect of opening windows on air change rates in two homes, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 52(2), 147–159, doi:10.1080/10473289.2002.10470775, 2002.

14. Jaffe, D. A., O’Neill, S. M., Larkin, N. K., Holder, A. L., Peterson, D. L., Halofsky, J. E. and Rappold, A. G. Wildfire and prescribed burning impacts on air quality in the United States, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 70(6), 583–615, doi:10.1080/10962247.2020.1749731, 2020.

15. Li, T. and Siegel, J. A. In situ efficiency of filters in residential central HVAC systems, Indoor Air, 30(2), 315–325, doi:10.1111/ina.12633, 2020a.

16. Li, T. and Siegel, J. Laboratory performance of new and used residential HVAC filters:

Comparison to field results (RP-1649), Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 26(6), 844–855, doi:10.1080/23744731.2020.1738871, 202b0.

17. McCaffrey, S., Toman, E., Stidham, M. and Shindler, B. Social science research related to wildfire management: An overview of recent findings and future research needs, International Journal of Wildland Fire, 22(1), 15–24, doi:10.1071/WF11115, 2013.

18. Mott, J. A., Meyer, P., Mannino, D., Redd, S. C., Smith, E. M., Gotway-Crawford, C. and Chase, E. Wildland forest fire smoke: Health effects and intervention evaluation, Hoopa, California, 1999, Western Journal of Medicine, 176(3), 157–162, 2002.

19. Olsen, C. S., Mazzotta, D. K., Toman, E. and Fischer, A. P. Communicating about smoke from wildland fire: Challenges and opportunities for managers, Environmental Management, 54(3), 571–582, doi:10.1007/s00267-014-0312-0, 2014.

20. Paveglio, T., Carroll, M. S., Absher, J. D. and Norton, T. Just blowing smoke? Residents’ social construction of communication about wildfire, Environmental Communication. 3(1):

76-94, 3(1), 76–94, doi:10.1080/17524030802704971, 2009.

21. Radeloff, V. C., Helmers, D. P., Kramer, H. A., Mockrin, M. H., Alexandre, P. M., Bar- Massada, A., Butsic, V., Hawbaker, T. J., Martinuzzi, S., Syphard, A. D. and Stewart, S. I.

Rapid growth of the US wildland-urban interface raises wildfire risk, Proceedings of the National Academy Sciences of the United States of America, 115(13), 3314–3319, doi:10.1073/pnas.1718850115, 2018.

22. Rappold, A. G., Reyes, J., Pouliot, G., Cascio, W. E. and Diaz-Sanchez, D. Community vulnerability to health impacts of wildland fire smoke exposure, Environmental Science and Technology, 51(12), 6674–6682, doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b06200, 2017.

23. Reid Colleen E., Brauer Michael, Johnston Fay H., Jerrett Michael, Balmes John R. and Elliott Catherine T. Critical review of health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure, Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(9), 1334–1343, doi:10.1289/ehp.1409277, 2016.

24. Shindler, B. A., Toman, E. and McCaffrey, S. M. Public perspectives of fire, fuels and the Forest Service in the Great Lakes Region: A survey of citizen–agency communication and trust, International Journal of Wildland Fire, 18(2), 157–164, doi:10.1071/WF07135, 2009.

25. Steelman, T. A. and McCaffrey, S. Best practices in risk and crisis communication:

Implications for natural hazards management, Natural Hazards, 65(1), 683–705, doi:10.1007/s11069-012-0386-z, 2013.

26. Steelman, T. A., McCaffrey, S. M., Velez, A.-L. K. and Briefel, J. A. What information do people use, trust, and find useful during a disaster? Evidence from five large wildfires, Natural Hazards, 76(1), 615–634, doi:10.1007/s11069-014-1512-x, 2015.

27. U.S. EPA. Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials. EPA-452/R-19-901, https://www.airnow.gov/publications/wildfire-smoke-guide/wildfire-smoke-a-guide-for-public-health-officials/, 2019a.

28. U.S. EPA. Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter. EPA/600/R-19/188, https://www.epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-particulate-matter, 2019b.

29. U.S. EPA. Residential Air Cleaners: A Technical Summary (3rd Edition), EPA-402-F-09-002, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-07/documents/residential_air_cleaners_- _a_technical_summary_3rd_edition.pdf, 2018.

30. U.S. EPA, Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution, EPA-456/F-15-005, https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/air-quality-guide_pm_2015.pdf, 2015a.

31. U.S. EPA. Air Quality Guide for Ozone, EPA-456/F-15-006, https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/air-quality-guide_ozone_2015_0.pdf, 2015b.

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32. U.S. EPA, Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools, EPA-456/F-14-003, https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/school-outdoor%20activity%20guidance.pdf, 2014.

33. Westerling, A. L. Increasing western US forest wildfire activity: Sensitivity to changes in the timing of spring, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 371(1696), 20150178, doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0178, 2016.

F. Special Requirements

It is EPA Policy to ensure that the results of EPA-funded extramural scientific research are accessible to the public to the greatest extent feasible consistent with applicable law; policies and Orders; the Agency’s mission; resource constraints; and U.S. national, homeland and economic security. This entails maximizing, at no charge, access by the public to peer-reviewed, scientific research journal publications or associated author manuscripts, and their underlying digital research data, created in whole or in part with EPA funds, while protecting personal privacy;

recognizing proprietary interests, confidential business information and intellectual property rights; and avoiding significant negative impact on intellectual property rights, innovation and U.S. competitiveness. EPA’s Policy for Increasing Access to Results of EPA-Funded Extramural Scientific Research may be accessed at: https://www.epa.gov/research/non-epa-researcher-requirements. Terms and conditions implementing this policy may be accessed at:

https://www.epa.gov/research/non-epa-researcher-requirements.

Applications submitted under this announcement shall include a Scientific Data Management Plan (SDMP) that addresses public access to EPA-funded scientific research data. See the SDMP clause in Section IV for details on the content of an SDMP. Applicants will also be asked to provide past performance information on whether journal publications or associated author manuscripts, and the associated underlying scientific research data and metadata, under prior assistance agreements were made publicly accessible. These items will be evaluated prior to award.

Reasonable, necessary and allocable costs for data management and public access as discussed in EPA’s Policy for Increasing Access to Results of EPA-Funded Extramural Scientific Research, may be included in extramural research applications and detailed in the budget justification described in Section IV.

Agency policy and ethical considerations prevent EPA technical staff and managers from providing applicants with information that may create an unfair competitive advantage.

Consequently, EPA employees will not review, comment, advise and/or provide technical assistance to applicants preparing applications in response to EPA RFAs. EPA employees cannot endorse any particular application.

Multiple Investigator applications may be submitted as: (1) a single Lead Principal Investigator (PI) application with Co-PI(s) or (2) a Multiple PI application (with a single Contact PI). If you choose to submit a Multiple PI application, you must follow the specific instructions provided in https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/school-outdoor%20activity%20guidance.pdf https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/school-outdoor%20activity%20guidance.pdf https://www.epa.gov/research/non-epa-researcher-requirements https://www.epa.gov/research/non-epa-researcher-requirements https://www.epa.gov/research/non-epa-researcher-requirements

Sections IV. and V. of this RFA. For further information, please see the EPA Implementation Plan for Policy on Multiple Principal Investigators (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies).

Please note: Early career awards will not accommodate a Multiple PI application. Early career awards shall be submitted as a single Lead PI application. Special eligibility criteria apply to the early career portion of this RFA. Please see Section III of this RFA for details on the early career eligibility criteria. The application must include an early career verification (see “Early Career Verification” in Section IV.C.6.e).

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS; described in Section IV.C.6.c of this solicitation). If the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.D and V.F of this solicitation.

Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a consortium and submit a single application for this assistance agreement. The application must identify which organization will be the recipient of the assistance agreement and which organizations(s) will be subawardees of the recipient.

These awards may involve the collection of “Geospatial Information,” which includes information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the Earth or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information. This information may be derived from, among other things, a Geographic Positioning System (GPS), remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

It is anticipated that a total of approximately $7.2 million will be awarded under this announcement, depending on the availability of funds, quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. The EPA anticipates funding approximately 9 total awards (5 regular awards and 4 early career awards) under this RFA. Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $1,000,000 for regular awards and a total of $550,000 for early career awards, including direct and indirect costs, will not be considered. The total project period requested in an application submitted for this RFA may not exceed three years.

The EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards, or make fewer awards than anticipated, under this RFA. The EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

In appropriate…