EPA-G2024-STAR-D1 (FINAL).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

AIR QUALITY INFORMATION: MAKING SENSE OF

AIR POLLUTION DATA TO INFORM DECISIONS IN

UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES OVERBURDENED BY

AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURES

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2024-STAR-D1

Assistance Listing Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: April 8, 2024 Solicitation Closing Date: June 26, 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

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), as part of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and in collaboration with the Air, Climate, and Energy (ACE) research program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research in underserved communities to advance the use of air pollution data and communication of air quality information for empowering local decisions and actions that address community-identified air pollution concerns. Specifically, this funding opportunity is soliciting research projects that involve substantial engagement with communities, community-based organizations, and/or Tribes to address both of the following priorities:

• methods and tools for data integration and analysis to characterize community exposures to air pollution in underserved communities

• effective communication of air quality information to communities and decision makers to support actions to address air pollution concerns in underserved communities

This research solicitation supports the Administration’s priorities to address environmental justice (EJ), such as described in the following Executive Orders:

• Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government

• Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

• Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved

Communities Through the Federal Government https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/

• Executive Order 14096: Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All

In supporting the Administration’s priorities on advancing environmental justice, the focus of this research solicitation is on underserved communities that are overburdened by air pollution, where “underserved communities” is defined in Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Accordingly, for purposes of this funding opportunity, underserved communities are “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 communities, Tribal and indigenous populations, and other vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks. Underserved communities have experienced a lack of resources or other impediments to addressing the impacts identified below that affect their community.

Environmental justice (EJ) is an integral part of EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. EJ is possible when all people are fully protected from environmental and health hazards and have equitable access to decision-making processes to maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work. The EPA defines EJ as 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 negative 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. In addition, EPA recognizes federally recognized Tribes as sovereign governments with a right to self-determination and acknowledges the federal government’s trust responsibility to Tribes.

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 8 awards under this funding opportunity up to $1.250 million per award.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/04/21/executive-order-on-revitalizing-our-nations-commitment-to-environmental-justice-for-all/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/04/21/executive-order-on-revitalizing-our-nations-commitment-to-environmental-justice-for-all/ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government

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. EPA also recognizes that scientific, technical, engineering and mathematical (STEM) competence is essential to the Nation’s future well-being in terms of national security and competitive economic advantage. For instance, the health and vitality of the economy is predicated, in part, on the availability of an adequate supply of scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians, to develop innovative technologies and solutions. Because minority serving institutions (MSIs) have graduated 30% of the nation’s STEM professionals and have a large percentage of their student bodies enrolled in STEM courses of study (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019), applications from and partnerships with these institutions can result in scientific advances that are beneficial to EPA’s mission. Additionally, MSIs have unique relationships with communities and are well positioned to carry out the community engagement activities required in this funding opportunity. For these reasons, 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 Institutions 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 Tribal College or University;

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;

5. Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C.

1059e(b)(6)). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions;

6. Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C § 1059f(b)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions; and https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Historically%20Black%20Colleges%20and%20Universities https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Historically%20Black%20Colleges%20and%20Universities https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Tribal%20College%20or%20University https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Tribal%20College%20or%20University https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Tribal%20College%20or%20University https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Hispanic-Serving%20Institution https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Asian%20American%20and%20Native%20American%20Pacific%20Islander%20Serving%20Institutions https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Predominantly%20Black%20Institutions https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Native%20American-Serving%20Non-Tribal%20Institutions https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Native%20American-Serving%20Non-Tribal%20Institutions

7. Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (AANHs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C § 1059d(b)(2) and (b)(4)). A list of these schools can be found at Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.

B. Background, Goals, and Objectives

The growing use of commercially available air sensors is rapidly changing the current paradigm of air quality monitoring. Enabled by the sensors’ relative affordability and ease-of-use, the number of individuals installing air sensors in or near their homes has significantly increased in recent years. Many communities have used air sensors to conduct local air monitoring in order to build knowledge about local air quality conditions and potentially initiate efforts to improve air quality, reduce exposures, or mitigate air pollutant health effects. Across the U.S., air monitoring coverage is being improved and expanded by the Enhanced Air Monitoring for Communities grant program from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act, as well as other funding sources to address air pollution concerns in communities, including in communities that are underserved, historically marginalized, and overburdened by pollution. EPA’s newly launched Environmental and Climate Justice Program and Community Change Grants Program are expected to support additional community air monitoring efforts. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service installs temporary monitors and sensors to measure smoke during prescribed burning and wildfires (https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl), and EPA has several sensor loan programs to enable communities to learn about air quality in their communities (https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/air-sensor-loan-programs; https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot). By greatly expanding the temporal and spatial coverage of air quality data from long-term fixed networks (https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data), air sensors can provide information on air pollutant concentrations and disparities on neighborhood scales and in areas with sparse monitoring sites, potentially providing valuable information to improve public health.

In parallel with the proliferation of air sensors, new satellite-based data are providing air pollution information at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution), launched into space in April 2023, is the first space-based instrument to monitor major air pollutants across the North American continent every daylight hour at the neighborhood scale (Naeger et al., 2021). The unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution will provide observations of air quality changes over the course of the daylight hours, and the data may be useful for understanding disparities in air pollution exposures.

Despite the immense increase in local-scale data, important challenges remain in harnessing the data into information that can be used to inform decision-making and actions that effectively address the needs of underserved communities. Expanded observational data have different spatial and temporal coverages and are nonuniform over the span of air pollutants that may be of concern to underserved communities. For example, public air sensors predominantly report surface fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations while the satellite-based TEMPO provides information about the amounts of PM and certain gases (e.g., ozone, NO2) in a vertical atmospheric column. Also, sensor data quality may vary by technology type, be influenced by https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/institutions?qp%5B0%5D=categories__name&qo%5B0%5D=is&qv%5B0%5D=Alaska%20Native%20and%20Native%20Hawaiian https://www.epa.gov/arp/arp-enhanced-air-quality-monitoring-communities-competitive-grant https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-environmental-and-climate-justice-program https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/air-sensor-loan-programs https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/air-sensor-loan-programs https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data https://tempo.si.edu/ environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity), and change over time. Challenges to harness new observational data include: understanding the uses and limitations of available observational data and models that could be used to evaluate community air pollution concerns;

developing strategies to share, access, analyze, and interpret the data; and translating the results into information that can be understood and used by community members as well as policy- and decision-makers. Social and behavioral factors also present challenges, such as building and maintaining trust between communities and other stakeholders around interpretation and evaluation of sensor data when there are discrepancies between data from sensors and regulatory monitors (Hubbell et al., 2018; Shatas and Hubbell, 2022).

Exposure to poor air quality has been found to cause a variety of short and long-term health effects, especially for older adults, children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions. There is extensive evidence that underserved communities, especially minority and low-income communities, are disproportionally burdened from exposures to air pollution and other environmental hazards. For example, a growing body of literature has shown a link between historical redlining practices and present-day disproportionate exposures to ambient air pollution (e.g., Cushing et al., 2023; Lane et al., 2022). Residents of low-income neighborhoods and communities may be more vulnerable to air pollution because of proximity to air pollution sources, such as industrial facilities, major roadways, and ports with diesel truck operations.

They also may be more susceptible to air pollution because of social and economic factors.

Achieving consequential and sustainable environmental and public health improvements in communities requires strategies that focus on the end user of the research, integrate communities' experience and expertise, and build community capacity that lasts beyond the lifetime of the projects. Community residents are uniquely positioned to describe the local exposures they experience; and they can play significant roles in raising awareness and in planning, advocating for, and implementing the strategies to reduce pollution and mitigate adverse impacts.

Incorporating community voices and lived experiences is essential for ensuring that the research is conducted in a just, inclusive, and culturally and ethically responsible manner. It also helps to ensure that the research process is attentive to the specific context and challenges of the study communities, such as history of prior efforts that could contribute to mistrust and research fatigue; the power dynamics between the communities and researchers, and between polluted communities, polluters, and regulators; and resource constraints. Therefore, research that engages the impacted communities and/or Tribes throughout the research process – from defining the research questions and objectives to co-production, translation, and dissemination of tools and knowledge, such as by partnering with local community groups, environmental organizations, public health and environmental agencies, local or Tribal governments, and Tribal consortia – should enhance scientific research pertinent to providing insights and developing analysis and tools needed to inform environmental decision-making. Indeed, community participatory research has been shown to improve research quality and community understanding of health risks and behaviors (Davis and Ramírez-Andreotte, 2021 and references therein), including in the context of air pollution control and exposures (Moses 2022; Ward et al., 2022).

Davis and Ramírez-Andreotte (2021) conducted a critical interpretive synthesis of participatory research for EJ. While noting the benefits of participatory research as mentioned above, the authors noted that success is limited with respect to effectively addressing structural causes of health risks in communities with EJ concerns. Davis and Ramírez-Andreotte (2021) defined structural change as “affecting macro- or meso-level determinants of health (Wilson, 2009), such as zoning policy, economic policy, political power, built environment, public service provision, or environmental policy enforcement.” They described key features of participatory research that increase the likelihood of contributing to structural changes that benefit communities with EJ concerns: a) community members hold formal leadership roles; b) project design includes decision makers and policy goals; and c) partnerships are designed to continue over the long term through multiple funding mechanisms.

For the reasons described above, this solicitation seeks research that involves meaningful engagement with community members, community-based organizations, and/or Tribes.

Additional information about the community engagement plan is given below, under “Specific Research Areas of Interest” (Section I.E), in the instructions for the “Community Engagement Plan” (Section IV.C.5.iii.e), and in the Peer Review criteria (Section V.A.5).

C. Authority and Regulations

The authority for this funding opportunity 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)(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 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities, Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts, 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 air quality by supporting the use of data to inform decisions and actions by state, Tribal, and local programs and communities to improve air quality and reduce exposure to air pollutants.

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.

Expected Outputs and Outcomes

The overarching goal is to give underserved communities science-based information, tools and approaches to utilize air and related environmental data to engage with decision-makers and take actions to address community-identified air pollution concerns associated with criteria air pollutants or hazardous air pollutants. The projects funded under this solicitation should provide the communities engaged in the projects with science-based information, tools and approaches to address their needs (see below for the community engagement plan requirement) as well as developing insights and tools that can be generalized and applied, respectively, to other communities. Specific outcomes that support the overarching goal may include, but are not limited to:

• Advances in methods and tools for integrating multiple streams of data, e.g., air sensor and other ground-level observations, satellite, modeling, and meteorological data to address air quality concerns in underserved communities, such as:

o Characterizing spatiotemporal patterns of pollutant concentrations o Identifying emission sources contributing to poor air quality o Providing evidence of exposure to and health impacts from specific air pollution sources o Developing and evaluating actions for improving air quality or reducing air pollution exposures o Forecasting air quality conditions

• Improved capability to integrate future data streams, as technologies evolve and new measurements become available, to achieve the above outcomes

• Enabling more exposure and health disparities research by maximizing the use of available air quality, environmental, and other relevant data https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan 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

• Advances in approaches for creating data sharing frameworks, data standards, and analytical tools for harnessing air quality data to inform decision-making

• New social and behavioral insights on how introduction of air sensor data might empower communities to take actions and on how community monitoring efforts might be sustained

• New insights on how continuous provision of air quality information might be used to reduce air pollution exposures

• Advances in effective communication of air quality information tailored to the needs of underserved communities

• Advances in effective communication of air quality information tailored to help underserved communities have dialogues about community air quality with state, local, Tribal, or other air quality managers

Expected outputs should include reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed journal publications documenting the scientific basis of the outcomes and other outputs of the research. Other outputs may include, but are not limited to:

• Free and open-source analysis tools, with how-to training available for non-experts, that can be readily utilized by community members to characterize spatiotemporal distributions of air pollutant concentrations and to identify sources of air pollution exposures

• Free and open-source data visualization tools for communicating technical (including, e.g., probabilistic) information on air quality to general audiences

• Free and open-source tools and resources for sharing air monitoring data and associated metadata

• Communication or educational materials that translate research findings into appropriate information for affected populations or communities, public health and environmental professionals, Tribes, decision makers, and the public

• Reports on science-based strategies to reduce disparities in air pollution exposures, developed with community input that can be used for communication to policy makers

• Reports on the value and challenges of the lower-cost air monitoring data to address community air quality concerns

• Community action plans to reduce air pollution exposures in project communities

• Reports that document lessons learned and best practices for engagement and co-production of knowledge with communities, community-based organizations, and/or Tribes

E. Specific Research Areas of Interest

The Agency is soliciting community-engaged research supporting underserved communities to advance the use of air pollution data and communication of air quality information for empowering local decisions and actions to address community-identified air pollution concerns.

Particularly of interest is participatory research that aims to inform structural changes, as discussed in Section I.B., that improve air quality in underserved communities overburdened by air pollution. Air pollutants being addressed could be criteria air pollutants or hazardous air pollutants.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to approach the research areas from a multi-disciplinary perspective, including a focus on or integration of social sciences. While the proposed research may focus on specific location(s) and community organization(s) and thus produce tools that are customized to specific needs of those locations and organizations, the research, to the extent possible, should also address needs that might be universal across communities and develop insights and tools that can be generalized and applied, respectively, to other communities in the United States.

Note that this solicitation is intended to support research that utilizes data from existing community air monitoring efforts and/or satellite data; additional field measurements campaigns and deployment of air sensors are allowed provided that the activities address one or both of the research areas identified below.

Applications should address both research areas described below. Applications that do not address both research areas may not be rated as highly under the evaluation process described in Section V as those that do. Within each research area, applicants should propose work on one or more of the research topics listed under the research areas.

Research Area 1: Methods and Tools for Data Integration and Analysis

This research area seeks to advance methods and tools that integrate data to inform community exposures to air pollution in underserved communities. Here, integration includes the process of how data are quality assured, harmonized, aggregated, and shared with potential users. Projects should strive to develop methods and tools that can be readily utilized by community members to independently combine and analyze data from multiple sources to address their concerns without requiring detailed knowledge of the underlying analysis tools. These methods and tools should incorporate the performance (accuracy, precision, etc.) of the underlying measurement techniques and be adaptable to inclusion of future data streams (e.g., from networks of new sensors).

Applications should address one or more of the following topics:

• How can multiple forms of air quality data that have varying amounts of information, quality, and spatiotemporal coverage – including air sensor data, data from permanent and temporary monitoring networks, satellite-based observations, mobile monitoring, and modeling results – be integrated to inform actions to address air pollution concerns of underserved communities?

• How can multiple streams of data be combined to quantify disparities in underserved communities and help in developing strategies to reduce the disparities?

• How can multiple streams of data be used to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies aimed to improve air quality or reduce exposures?

• How can air sensor and related data be incorporated with community-based information and local knowledge to provide new information about the spatiotemporal patterns and sources of air pollution and enhance understanding of local air pollution issues?

• For areas with sparse ground-level monitoring for pollutants of interest, how can satellite-based data and/or modeling be combined with existing monitoring data to address community air pollution concerns? In addition, where and for what pollutants are additional ground-level monitoring data needed to have higher confidence in information used to address air pollution concerns of underserved communities?

• How can air sensor and satellite data be used to improve near-real time and forecast air quality conditions that relate to specific concerns of underserved communities?

• How can access to the data and analysis tools be improved for interested communities to learn about their local air quality conditions? How can data sharing and platforms for shared analysis be improved/developed to increase capacity for interpretation and evaluation of sensor data across communities?

Research Area 2: Communicating to Communities and Decision Makers

This research area seeks research on effectively using air quality information derived from multiple streams to address air pollution concerns in underserved communities.

Applications should address one or more of the following topics:

• How can air pollution and related data enhance local knowledge and lived experience to inform decision making or policies that effect structural changes to reduce disparities in air pollution exposures and/or mitigate air pollution health effects?

• What communication approaches are effective at meeting the different needs of the communities? What approaches are effective in helping the community members analyze, interpret, and understand their air quality, and what approaches are effective in helping community members discuss air pollution concerns with state, local, Tribal, and/or other air quality managers? What are the challenges and barriers, and how can these be overcome?

• What types of data products and modes of communication maximize the value of air quality data in increasing awareness and understanding of air pollution issues?

• How can community participation in the research be improved to increase usability of air pollution data?

• How can air quality information be translated to foster collaboration between community members, decision makers, and other stakeholders?

• What forms of media or modes of communication are most effective at communicating air quality information and health risks before, during the time of, or following accidents, disasters, or other events that cause air pollution episodes?

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 communities, Tribal and indigenous populations, and other vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks. 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.

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.

Community Engagement Plan

A community engagement plan is required. See Section IV.C.5.iii.e. Researchers should involve underserved community(ies) or appropriate community-based organizations (see definition below) in the formulation of research objectives and in clarifying their real-world exposures and/or health effects. Researchers are strongly encouraged to partner with underserved community(ies). Applications should, at minimum: a) describe how applicants will work in partnership with appropriate partners to represent relevant community interests (e.g., MSIs, states, Tribes, academia, industry groups, non-profit organizations, associations, and local communities/community-based organizations) and effectively design and implement the proposed project; b) describe how the project will, to the extent possible, coordinate with and/or complement other projects or activities being performed by others that will result in a greater combined positive impact; and c) demonstrate how the proposed project will address the needs and concerns of underserved communities, including how community-based organizations (as defined below) and/or other appropriate parties will be engaged to enhance the project’s effectiveness and/or efficiency.

For the purpose of this announcement, a “community-based organization” generally means a nongovernmental organization that has demonstrated effectiveness as a representative of a specific community or a significant segment of a community and that helps members of that community obtain environmental, educational, or other social services. A community-based organization must be a nonprofit or not for profit corporation in good standing under State or Tribal law with authority to enter into binding legal agreements. The community-based organization need not be tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code but may use documentation of tax-exempt status to demonstrate that it is a nonprofit.

Applicants may utilize a Community Engagement Research (CEnR) framework, defined as a collaborative process of research involving researchers and community representatives, to meet this Community Engagement Plan requirement. The CEnR process of scientific inquiry requires that community members or other key community stakeholders be included in the identification of research problems and objectives and in the formulation of community-driven solutions.

Although a range of levels of community involvement can be considered CEnR, CEnR is characterized by substantial community input and involvement in the project. The applicant will need to justify the approach to community involvement that is proposed in the application. While not required, each applicant is encouraged to form a CEnR framework to meet the requirement for community involvement in the project that may include relevant community leaders and a committee or an advisory group.

The Community Engagement Plan should:

• Clearly define the community of focus for this project and explain why the community partner(s) are an appropriate set of collaborators for the proposed work.

• Describe the type of collaboration/engagement proposed and what role it will play in the overall project, including the degree of partner/community input or engagement in the conceptualization, hypothesis/question development, design, methods, analyses and implementation of the research. This includes describing how the project addresses engagement with underserved 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.

• Describe how the collaboration/engagement will enhance the overall impact of the project such that the project results are applicable and useable by impacted communities and address the needs and concerns of underserved communities. This includes the capacity of the project to more effectively communicate risk and translate scientific results into easily understandable outreach and educational materials. This should also include description of how the project will help build capacity for impacted communities and/or community-based organizations to address their needs and concerns related to the research areas described in Section I.E (Specific Research Areas of Interest) beyond the lifetime of the project.

• Describe how activities of the project will be coordinated with related or complementary projects and studies.

• Describe how the collaboration/engagement will materialize during project performance.

Describe the partner(s)’ intent to participate in the proposed research including evidence of community support of an active partnership with a community engagement research committee, a community-based organization or advisory group members (e.g., letter(s) of intent or support from MSIs, community leaders, state or local government agencies, non-government organizations, public health professionals, community emergency planners or responders, social workers, child serving organizations, assisted living and nursing homes, utility managers, site managers or operators, decision makers, policy planners, and/or other relevant organizations). Any letters demonstrating evidence of collaboration and support should be included as part of section IV.C.5.viii.a. Letters of Intent/Letters of Support.

Applicants that do not plan on collaborating/engaging with other groups in project performance must still include a community engagement plan in their application describing how they will be able to effectively perform and complete the project without such collaboration.

F. References

Cushing, L. J., Li, S., Steiger, B. B., and Casey, J. A. Historical red-lining is associated with fossil fuel power plant siting and present-day inequalities in air pollutant emissions, Nature Energy, 8, 52–61, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-022-01162-y, 2023.

Davis, L. F. and Ramírez-Andreotta, M. D. Participatory research for environmental justice: A critical interpretive synthesis, Environmental Health Perspectives, 129, 026001, https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6274, 2021.

Lane, H. M., Morello-Frosch, R., Marshall, J. D., and Apte, J. S. Historical redlining is associated with present-day air pollution disparities in U.S. cities, Environmental Science & Technology Letters, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c01012, 2022.

Hubbell, B. J., Kaufman, A., Rivers, L., Schulte, K., Hagler, G., Clougherty, J., Cascio, W., and

Costa, D. Understanding social and behavioral drivers and impacts of air quality sensor use, Science of The Total Environment, 621, 886–894, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.275, 2018.

Moses, E. “Clean Air Action: Applications of Citizen Science to Identify and Address Air

Pollution Emission Sources.” Working Paper. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute.

Available online at https://doi.org/10.46830/wriwp.20.00074, 2022.

Naeger, A. R., Newchurch, M. J., Moore, T., Chance, K., Liu, X., Alexander, S., Murphy, K., and Wang, B. Revolutionary air-pollution applications from future Tropospheric Emissions:

Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) observations, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 102, E1735–E1741, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-21-0050.1, 2021.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Minority Serving Institutions:

America's Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce. Washington, DC:

The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25257, 2019.

Shatas, A. and Hubbell, B. Using low-cost sensor networks: Considerations to help reveal neighborhood-level exposure disparities, American Journal of Public Health, 112, 1693– 1695, https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307128, 2022.

Ward, F., Lowther-Payne, H. J., Halliday, E. C., Dooley, K., Joseph, N., Livesey, R., Moran, P., Kirby, S., and Cloke, J. Engaging communities in addressing air quality: A scoping review, Environmental Health, 21, 89, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-022-00896-2, 2022.

Wilson, S. M. An ecologic framework to study and address environmental justice and community health issues, Environmental Justice, 2, 15–24, https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2008.0515, 2009.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-022-01162-y https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6274 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c01012 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.275 https://doi.org/10.46830/wriwp.20.00074 https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-21-0050.1 https://doi.org/10.17226/25257 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-022-00896-2 https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2008.0515

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 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 funding opportunities. EPA employees cannot endorse any specific application.

Multiple Investigator applications may be submitted as: (1) a single Lead Principal Investigator (PI)…