EPA-G2024-STAR-B1.pdf

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

ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2024-STAR-B1

Assistance Listing Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: March 18, 2024 Solicitation Closing Date: May 29, 2024: 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time

Table of Contents

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

B. Background, Goals, and Objectives C. Authority and Regulations D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage/Expected Outputs and Outcomes E. Specific Research Areas of Interest F. References G. Special Requirements H. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

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. Scientific Data Management Plan (SDMP) Review F. Quality Assurance Statement (QAS) Review G. Funding Decisions

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

For Updates and Additional Information see EPA Research Funding Opportunities.

View research awarded under previous solicitations at EPA Research Grant Areas.

A. Introduction

Chemistry is at the forefront of the transition into a more circular economy and can enable solutions that support the use of clean energy, renewable materials, and materials management [1]. However, current approaches to chemistry can have harmful impacts on human health and the environment. Research is needed on new chemical products and chemical processes that use energy and utilities more efficiently, ensure feedstocks are optimized, are strategically consumed and reused, and provide society with chemicals and manufacturing processes that are less harmful to human health and the environment.

Sustainable chemistry produces compounds or materials with intentional design, manufacture, use, and end-of-life management. Across their lifecycle, sustainable chemicals promote circularity, meet societal needs, and contribute to economic resilience [1]. The introduction of more sustainable chemical products, processes, and technologies are needed to address emerging and growing challenges and opportunities for the economy, climate action, and environmental justice. This Request for Applications (RFA) is soliciting research for data, methods, and systems that lead to actionable, scalable change toward chemistry, chemicals, and products that support sustainable chemistry.

The Science to Achieve Results (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.

The EPA anticipates funding approximately four awards under this RFA up to $1.5 million per award.

https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas

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, Goals, and Objectives

The Sustainable Chemistry Strategy Team of the National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Joint Subcommittee on Environment, Innovation, and Public Health defines sustainable chemistry as “chemistry that produces compounds or materials from building blocks, reagents, and catalysts that are readily-available and renewable, operates at optimal efficiency, and employs renewable energy sources; this includes the intentional design, manufacture, use, and end-of-life management of chemicals, materials, and products across their lifecycle that do not adversely impact human health and the environment, while promoting circularity, meeting societal needs, contributing to economic resilience, and aspiring to perpetually use elements, compounds, and materials without depletion of resources or accumulation of waste” [1].

The Four E’s: Energy, Efficiency, Economy, and Environment A sustainable chemistry strategy should offer a broad multi-disciplinary approach that strives to balance considerations of the four E’s: Energy, Efficiency, Economy, and Environment [2].

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://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ 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

Energy. In moving toward advancing sustainable chemistry, it is important to consider both the energy source and efficiency for pretreatment, chemical reactivity, separation, and purification operations as well as a holistic accounting of the energetic and environmental impacts of process(es). Accounting for energy and emissions management considerations through a life cycle of resources, production, use, and end of life is critical to achieve more sustainable systems. By catalyzing the use and magnitude of clean energy industries and utilizing greater quantities of renewable energy, the life of natural resources may be extended, further contributing to the sustainability of the chemical enterprise.

Efficiency. Sustainable chemistry can increase efficient use of energy and natural resources during processing and manufacturing. The efficiency of the reaction/process provides insight into the magnitude of sustainability achieved on the chemical level. As a researcher alters reaction variables, each modification can have significant effects not only on other reaction variables, but on process design. As a result, there will be a cascading effect upstream and downstream of the reaction which can greatly influence the supply chain of the entire process. This approach should be accounted for when designing a chemical reaction and can be accomplished by undertaking a multidisciplinary approach (i.e., chemists and chemical engineers working together at the conceptual stage).

Economy. Economic considerations around supply chains and trade are a major barrier to the implementation of more sustainable chemistries. Additionally, if transitioning to sustainable chemistry practices results in increased costs for goods and services, people with limited financial resources will be least likely to benefit from sustainable chemistry. New sustainable chemistries must meet the needs of the marketplace in addition to critical performance criteria in order to be successful and accepted by the public [1].

Environment. Advancements in sustainable chemistry, including new and improved methods, chemical products and processes, will reduce adverse impacts on air, soil, and water quality;

reduce releases of greenhouse gases or other ozone-depleting substances; mitigate climate change effects; decrease production of toxic products or byproducts; and make progress toward net-zero emissions.

Research Gaps to Advance Sustainable Chemistry There is a lack of standardized tools and information regarding the sustainability of supply chains, processes, chemicals, and products. This research gap increases uncertainty in decision making and may slow down improvements in the field. Areas with the potential to advance sustainable chemistry include platforms for sharing information across the life cycle of services, products, and materials, new approach methodologies for hazard assessment of more sustainable chemicals and products, and the use of holistic life cycle analysis (indicators and metrics) to evaluate the environmental, economic, energy, and efficiency impact of sustainable chemicals and products. Cumulative impacts and their ties to supporting environmental justice principles and stakeholder engagement must also be factors in the prioritization, design, and access to technological advances to avoid a disproportionate burden of chemical hazards.

Data Sharing Platforms Data sharing platforms are critical for comprehensively addressing sustainable chemistry across the life cycle of services, products, and materials. These platforms should house information that aligns with and informs the definition of sustainable chemistry presented above, including benchmarks or evaluation metrics [1]. Development of these platforms should prioritize harmonization, aggregation, and interoperability with existing platforms and transparency to allow for this information to be more widely available to all stakeholders, including state and local governments and the public.

New Approach Methodologies An important consideration in advancing the field of sustainable chemistry are new approach methodologies (NAMs) for data generation and hazard assessment such as in chemico, in vitro, and in silico methods that can supplement or potentially replace existing in vivo mammalian tests. Computational chemistry, including the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-throughput screening, and computational or predictive toxicology and exposure are additional areas of opportunity [1]. In addition to the benefits these methods offer in reducing the time and costs associated with in vivo animal testing, many of the new hazard assessment methods allow for rapid hazard screening of theoretical or planned chemical substances. These methods can be an invaluable aid in the design and evaluation of safer alternative chemicals by serving as new data across the life cycle continuum for a chemical or process and the endpoint piece of human health risk assessment. This data will inform the risk associated with chemical release sources, exposure pathways, exposure routes, stressor properties, and receptors. Another advantage of these methods is the potential to assess biological variability: variability in the toxicological response to a chemical among the human population and within susceptible sub-populations.

Alternatives Assessment Development and evaluation of alternative chemicals, chemical products, and chemical processes are key to fundamentally shift from toxic to more sustainable chemistry. One barrier to innovation for implementing sustainable chemistry includes challenges throughout the life cycle of a chemical product, including the need to consider alternatives. There are many unaddressed needs related to improving the discovery, development, and implementation pipelines of alternative chemicals and chemistry processes. Life-cycle analysis (LCA) is a method used to holistically evaluate the environmental impact of a product, service, or good throughout its life cycle encompassing extraction and processing of the raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, recycling, and end-of-life (EoL) [3]. LCA can include evaluation of individual stages or the entire life cycle of a particular chemical or chemical product [4]. LCA is important to consider when designing and evaluating sustainable alternatives, while also helping support decision making and policy development.

Environmental Justice Considerations Negative impacts of chemical processes and chemicals on human health are frequently concentrated near locations where those chemicals are manufactured, along routes where they are transported, and where EoL is managed [1]. These facilities are often located in communities that have been historically underserved and marginalized and this presence only increases the inequality for those who live nearby [1]. Widespread use of sustainable chemistry principles by chemical facilities will result in processes and chemical maintenance practices that release fewer, less-harmful chemicals into the environment throughout the manufacturing, use, and EoL phases of the chemical life cycle [1]. These reductions in exposure to potentially harmful chemicals may lessen the disproportionate burden. Principles of environmental justice and stakeholder engagement are important considerations when developing sustainable chemistry.

C. Authority and Regulations

The authorities for this RFA and resulting awards are contained in the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2609, Section 10, as amended by P.L. 106-74, the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.

1254, Section 104(b)(3), and 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)(I).

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.

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

D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage/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 solicitation support EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment, Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety, and Objective 7.2:

Promote Pollution Prevention, of the Plan.

All applications should be for projects that support the goal(s) and objective(s) identified above.

The proposed research awards support the STAR Program’s goal of stimulating and supporting scientific and engineering research that advances EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment in the area of chemical safety for sustainability by developing and demonstrating methods, tools, and systems to evaluate the sustainability of alternative chemicals and chemical processes in order to reduce adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

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). Applicants should 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 goal(s) and objective(s) described above.

This RFA is soliciting research for data, methods, and systems that lead to actionable, scalable change toward chemistry, chemicals and products that support sustainable chemistry.

This RFA seeks applications to (1) standardize, improve, and operationalize data sharing of chemicals and chemical processing information for sustainable chemistry, (2) incorporate novel methods to develop and evaluate more sustainable chemical alternatives, and (3) apply life cycle analysis to evaluate more sustainable chemical alternatives to reduce and eliminate adverse environmental and public health impacts while integrating the concepts of sustainability into chemical products, processes, and supply chains.

Outputs and Outcomes EPA anticipates the outputs from this research will be novel and comprehensive scientific information, publications, data, and data-sharing platforms, which improve the current understanding of sustainable chemistry practices. Outcomes include a reduction in the depletion of resources and accumulation of waste resulting from chemical production; increased use of readily available and renewable materials for use as building blocks, reagents, and catalysts in chemical production; increased and optimized efficiency in chemical reactions; improved end-of-life management and intentional design of chemicals, materials, and products across their lifecycle that do not adversely impact human health and the environment while promoting circularity, meeting societal needs, contributing to economic prosperity, and use of materials without depleting resources or accumulating waste. Outcomes of the proposed research may improve decision-making to protect human health and the environment from chemical pollution.

E. Specific Research Areas of Interest

Applications should address at least two of the research areas described below. Applications that do not address at least two research areas may not be rated as highly under the evaluation process described in Section V as those that do. Applicants are strongly recommended to consider the example research questions listed under each research area. Applicants are not required to include all the research questions or limit their research scope to these examples.

Applications may incorporate indicators and metrics related to climate change and environmental justice, as appropriate.

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

Research Areas

1. Data Sharing Platforms Research in this area should aim to develop and/or expand next-generation data sharing platforms and tools to advance and implement sustainable chemistry.

• How can the extensive amount of existing data (e.g., material, energy, value, physicochemical property, exposure, toxicity, fate, etc.) be leveraged to improve decision-making regarding more sustainable chemicals and chemical processes?

• How can intellectual property be protected while sharing data on traditional chemicals/products and potential sustainable alternatives that can benefit people nationwide?

• How can the accounting and transparency of environmental releases, transfers, and transportation routes be improved to better inform decision-making?

• How can computational techniques (including, for example, machine learning) be used to provide trusted and transparent information on environmental releases, hazard potential, and environmental sustainability?

• How can models and frameworks to effectively evaluate indicators related to process (mass and energy efficiency, yield, releases), performance (durability, cost, end of use recovery pathways), and environmental impact (hazards and environmental releases) of chemicals and products be used?

• How can standardized platforms, tools, and information regarding chemical or product sustainability be used to improve information and certainty in decision making?

• How can consensus indicators for evaluating attributes of sustainability be developed and identified? How does communication of these indicators to stakeholders and decision-makers occur?

2. New Approach Methodologies and Novel Data Streams

Research in this area should aim to develop, apply, and/or expand novel methods to design and/or evaluate chemicals (new or existing). Note: This research area is not seeking novel chemicals or compounds, but rather methodologies and data to advance sustainable chemistry and to reduce the life cycle impacts of chemical products and processes.

• How can novel technologies, methodologies, and tools be implemented into the production and/or evaluation of chemicals to promote sustainable chemistry?

• How can new approach toxicology and exposure methods inform the design and evaluation of safer alternative chemicals?

• How can new approach toxicology and exposure methods, such as computational biology and new in vitro and in silico methods, inform the chemical response among the human population and within susceptible subpopulations?

• How can data-driven methods such as machine-learning, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR), data curation, neural networks, and computational techniques be used to accelerate materials/chemical discovery, process design, and produce more sustainable alternatives?

• What indicators can be used to measure and communicate sustainable chemistry progress?

3. Evaluation of Specific Life Stages of a Chemical

Research in this area should advance the application of life-cycle analysis (LCA) to drive and inform sustainable chemistry and its practices.

• How can benefits and environmental costs of a sustainable alternative be quantified and compared to a traditional chemical?

• What are the indicators used to quantify improvements to chemical supply chain processes and products?

• What are some alternative system approaches and strategies to communicate sustainable outcomes to traditional manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products?

• How can predictors of novel and more sustainable chemical routes be used and represent their environmental and human health life cycle impact benefits?

• How can sustainability assessment be integrated into the life cycle analysis of chemicals?

• How can LCA be used to facilitate and guide continuous improvement in reducing a chemical’s environmental impacts and transition into a circular economy?

• How can a LCA approach be used to communicate the environmental performance of a product?

Environmental Justice To the maximum extent practicable, applicants should demonstrate in their application how they will advance environmental justice for underserved communities, as defined below.

Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, income, Tribal affiliation or disability, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the adverse environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, and commercial operations or policies. Meaningful involvement means people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. For purposes of this competition and the evaluation of applications, “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate equitably in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. ‘Equity’ means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including those who belong to underserved communities. Underserved communities may include people/communities of color, low income, tribal and indigenous populations, and other vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, those who have pre-existing medical conditions, and communities near locations where chemicals are manufactured, stored, transported, or disposed. Underserved communities have experienced a lack of resources or other impediments to addressing the impacts identified below that affect their community.

Disproportionate and adverse environmental, human health, climate-related and other cumulative impacts, as well the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts, may result when greater pollution burdens and/or consequences, and the impact of them, are more likely to affect or have affected the underserved communities described in this solicitation. The impacts may result from various factors including but not limited to being a function of historical trends and policy decisions.

Factors that may indicate disproportionate and adverse impacts as referenced above include:

differential proximity and exposure to adverse environmental hazards; greater susceptibility to adverse effects from environmental hazards (due to causes such as age, chronic medical conditions, lack of health care access, or limited access to quality nutrition); unique environmental exposures because of practices linked to cultural background or socioeconomic status (for example, subsistence fishing or farming); cumulative effects from multiple stressors;

reduced ability to effectively participate in decision-making processes (due to causes such as lack of or ineffective language access programs, lack of programs to make processes accessible to persons with disabilities, inability to access traditional communication channels, or limited capacity to access technical and legal resources); and degraded physical infrastructure, such as poor housing, poorly maintained public buildings (e.g., schools), or lack of access to transportation. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will address the disproportionate burden of chemical hazards on underserved communities.

In addressing the research areas described above in applications, applicants should demonstrate how their project will address the disproportionate and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts, resulting from industrial, governmental, commercial and/or other actions that have affected and/or currently affect the underserved communities. Applicants should also demonstrate how the project benefits the underserved communities including those that have experienced a lack of resources or other impediments to addressing the impacts identified above that affect their community and how the project addresses engagement with these communities, especially local residents in these communities who will be affected by the project, to ensure their meaningful involvement with respect to the design, project planning, and performance of the project.

Innovation and Sustainability To the maximum extent practicable, research applications should 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 should include a discussion on how the proposed research is innovative (see Section IV.C.5.iii.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 should include a discussion on how the proposed research will seek sustainable solutions that protect the environment and strengthen our communities (see Section IV.C.5.iii.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).

F. References

1. Joint Subcommittee on Environment, Innovation, and Public Health, Sustainable Chemistry Strategy Team of the National Science and Technology Council (2023).

Sustainable Chemistry Report: Framing the Federal Landscape. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/08/02/nstc-sustainable-chemistry-report/.

2. Gonzalez MA, Smith RL (2003). A Methodology to Evaluate Process Sustainability.

Environmental Progress, 22(4): 269-276.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ep.670220415

3. Ilgin MA, Gupta SM (2009). Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing and Product Recovery (ECMPRO): A review of the state of the art. Journal of Environmental Management, 91(3): 563-591.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479709003417.

4. Environmental Protection Agency (2023). Research on Evaluating Risk Across the Life Cycle of Manufactured Chemicals, Materials & Products. EPA.

https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/research-evaluating-risk-across-life-cycle-manufactured-chemicals-materials.

G. 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.

Applications submitted under this announcement should 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 https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/08/02/nstc-sustainable-chemistry-report/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/08/02/nstc-sustainable-chemistry-report/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ep.670220415 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479709003417 https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/research-evaluating-risk-across-life-cycle-manufactured-chemicals-materials https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/research-evaluating-risk-across-life-cycle-manufactured-chemicals-materials 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 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 specific 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 Sections IV and V of this RFA. For further information, please see the EPA Implementation Plan for Policy on Multiple Principal Investigators (Research Grants Guidance and Policies).

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. All applications should include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS; described in Section IV.C.5.iii.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.G of this solicitation.

H. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

Additional provisions that apply to sections III, IV, V, and VI of this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses. These provisions are important for applying to this solicitation and applicants must review them when preparing applications for this solicitation. If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact listed in this solicitation (usually in Section VII) to obtain the provisions.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

It is anticipated that a total of approximately $6 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 four awards under this RFA. Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $1.5 million per award, 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.

https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

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 circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the application, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process. Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

EPA intends to award only grants under this announcement.

Under a grant, EPA scientists and engineers will not be substantially involved in the execution of the research. However, EPA encourages interaction between its own laboratory scientists and grant Principal Investigators after the award of an EPA grant for the sole purpose of exchanging information in research areas of common interest that may add value to their respective research activities. This interaction must be incidental rather than substantial to achieving the goals of the research under a grant. Interaction that is “incidental” does not involve resource commitments by

EPA.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Note: Additional provisions that apply to this section can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses.

A. Eligible Applicants

Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, public and private institutions of higher education (IHEs), and hospitals located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to apply.

Consistent with the definition of Nonprofit organization at 2 CFR § 200.1, the term nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes tax-exempt nonprofit neighborhood and labor organizations. Note that 2 CFR § 200.1 specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. While not considered to be a nonprofit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR § 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR § 200.1 are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.

Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status; such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611.

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. An award recipient may provide funds through its assistance agreement from the EPA to an FFRDC for research personnel, supplies, equipment, and other expenses directly related to the research.

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.

If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding.

Potential applicants who are uncertain of their eligibility should contact the Eligibility Contact listed under Section VII. Agency Contacts.

B. Cost sharing

Cost sharing is not required.

C. Other

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and must meet the eligibility requirements described in Sections III.A., B., and C. to be considered eligible. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

a. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this solicitation or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the application, or parts thereof, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.

b. In addition, initial applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this solicitation (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this solicitation. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this solicitation to ensure that their application is timely submitted. Please note that applicants experiencing technical issues with submitting through Grants.gov should follow the instructions provided in Section IV, which include both the requirement to contact Grants.gov and email a full application to EPA prior to the deadline.

c. Applications submitted outside of Grants.gov will be deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was due to EPA mishandling or technical problems associated with Grants.gov or SAM.gov. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a submission outside of Grants.gov.

If an applicant submits more than one application under this announcement, each application must be submitted separately, and the scope of work proposed in each application must be significantly different from the other application(s) in order for them to all be deemed eligible. If applications are submitted with scopes of work that do not significantly differ, then EPA will only accept the most recently submitted application and all other applications will be deemed ineligible.

Also, applications exceeding the funding limits or project period described in Section II will be rejected without review. Further, applications that fail to demonstrate a public purpose of support https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ or stimulation (e.g., by proposing research which primarily benefits a Federal program or provides a service for a Federal agency) will not be funded.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Note: Additional provisions that apply to this section can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses.

Formal instructions for submission through Grants.gov are in Section F.

A. Grants.gov Submittal Requirements and Limited Exception Procedures

Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If your organization has no access to the internet or access is very limited, you may request an exception for the remainder of this calendar year by following the procedures outlined here. Please note that your request must be received at least 15 calendar days before the application due date to allow enough time to negotiate alternative submission methods. Issues with submissions with respect to this opportunity only are addressed in Section IV.F. Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements below.

B. Application Package Information

Use the application package available at Grants.gov (see Section IV.F. “Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements”). Note: With the exception of the current and pending support form (available at Research Funding Opportunities: How to 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.

C. Content and Form of Application Submission

The application is made by submitting the materials described below. Applications must contain all information requested.

1. Standard Form 424

The applicant must complete Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.

Instructions for completion of the SF-424 are included with the form. However, note that EPA requires that the entire requested dollar amount appear on the SF-424, not simply the proposed first year expenses. The form must contain the signature of an authorized representative of the applying organization. Please note the form will be automatically signed by the authorized organization representative when the “Sign & Submit” button is clicked in the Grants.gov Workspace.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms

2. Key Contacts, EPA Form 5700-54

The applicant must complete the “Key Contacts” form found in the Grants.gov application package. An “Additional Key Contacts” form is also available at Research Funding Opportunities: How to Apply and Required Forms. The Key Contacts form should also be completed for major subawards (i.e., principal investigators). Do not include information for consultants or other contractors. Please make certain that all contact information is accurate.

For Multiple PI applications: The Additional Key Contacts form must be completed (see Section I.G. for further information). Note: The Contact PI must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application. EPA will direct all communications related to scientific, technical, and budgetary aspects of the project to the Contact PI; however, any information regarding an application will be shared with any PI upon request. The Contact PI is to be listed on the Key Contact Form as the Project Manager/Principal Investigator (the term Project Manager is used on the Grants.gov form, the term Principal Investigator is used on the form located at Research Funding Opportunities: How to Apply and Required Forms). For additional PIs, complete the Major Co-Investigator fields and identify PI status next to the name (e.g., “Name: John Smith, Principal Investigator”).

3. EPA Form 4700-4, Preaward Compliance Review Report for All Applicants and Recipients Requesting EPA Financial Assistance (For tips on completing the form see: Tips for Completing EPA Form 4700-4.)

4. SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

Prepare a master budget table using Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non- Construction Programs, available in the Grants.gov electronic application package. Only complete “Section B-Budget Categories”. Provide the object class budget category (a. - k.)

amounts for each budget year under the “Grant Program, Function or Activity” heading. Each column reflects a separate budget year. For example, Column (1) reflects budget year 1. The total budget will be automatically tabulated in column (5).

Applicants may not use subawards to transfer or delegate their responsibility for successful completion of their EPA assistance agreement. Note: Prior to naming a contractor (including consultants) or subrecipient in your application as a “partner”, please carefully review Section IV.d, “Contracts and Subawards”, of EPA’s Announcement Clauses that are incorporated by reference in this announcement (See Section I.H). EPA expects recipients of funding to comply with competitive procurement contracting requirements as well as EPA’s rule on Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in EPA Programs in 40 CFR Part 33.