FY23 CSS STAR Nanosensor Technology RFA FINAL_July.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

DEVELOPING AND DEMONSTRATING NANOSENSOR

TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT, MONITOR, AND

DEGRADE POLLUTANTS

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2023-STAR-H1

Assistance Listing Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: July 5, 2023 Solicitation Closing Date: October 4, 2023: 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time

Table of Contents

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

B. Background C. Authority and Regulations D. Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes E. References F. Special Requirements G. 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. Evaluation of the Scientific Data Management Plan F. 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 https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities.

View research awarded under previous solicitations at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas.

A. Introduction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting chemicals that are widely used in an array of consumer, commercial, and industrial products. Due to widespread use and persistence in the environment, PFAS are commonly found in air, soil, and water. There is evidence that continued exposure to certain PFAS, even at low levels, can cause harmful health effects [1].

Measuring PFAS at low levels is a challenge with current analytical methods. In addition, PFAS are incredibly difficult to degrade, and traditional methods often cannot degrade PFAS or produce a toxic waste stream.

Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have the potential to address the major challenges of conventional technology for the detection and treatment of PFAS-contaminated waters.

Nanoparticles have been introduced for the detection and remediation of a wide range of contaminants in different matrices [2, 3]. Because of their unique properties, nanomaterials have enabled advances in sensor design such as miniaturization, portability, and rapid signal response times [4]. Nanomaterial-enabled sensors are being designed for efficiency, flexibility, and multipollutant sensing applications. Nanotechnology may help to build better environmental sensors by reducing cost, improving efficiency and increasing selectivity [5]. In addition to detection and monitoring, nanotechnology can also be used in the sequestration and degradation of pollutants. Nanomaterials have advantages to conventional treatment methods, such as smaller size, larger specific surface area, and are easily manipulated and dispersed in water [6]. The growing focus on removing low levels of PFAS contamination from drinking water supplies has https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas produced several PFAS-removal approaches. However, the carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond in PFAS is extremely strong, making complete destruction difficult, and there are uncertainties around the effectiveness of traditional destruction technologies (e.g., thermal treatment) for PFAS. The next generation of high-performance separation and degradation technologies are needed for the safe and cost-effective removal and destruction of PFAS.

This Request for Applications (RFA) is soliciting research to develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology with functionalized catalysts that have the potential to degrade selected contaminants in addition to detecting and monitoring pollutants. Specifically, EPA is seeking proposals that use nanotechnology to detect, monitor, and degrade PFAS in groundwater or surface water that may be used as drinking water sources.

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.

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 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/ 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

The Interagency Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) defined nanotechnology as “the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications” [2]. Nanotechnology research and development involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale. Matter can exhibit unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties at the nanoscale, differing from the properties of bulk materials and molecules. At the nanoscale, some materials are more robust, have different magnetic properties, or are better at conducting heat or electricity than other forms or sizes of the same material. They may become more chemically reactive, use light energy more effectively in catalysis, or change color as their size or structure is altered [2, 3]. Consequently, there has been great interest to use engineered nanomaterials for environmental sensing and catalysis. In particular, the properties of nanosensors and nanomaterials have the potential to provide quick, reliable, and sensitive detection and catalytic destruction of PFAS.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely used for their nonstick, water-resistant, and stain-resistant properties. These chemical properties also mean they persist in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. Some PFAS have been found to be harmful to human health and the environment, and EPA is taking several actions to address PFAS, including actions on Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), two of the most commonly studied and longest used PFAS [1]. Short chain PFAS, such as GenX chemicals, that were introduced to replace the legacy longer-chain compounds are even more difficult to sequester from contaminated sources. Thus, there is a great need for extremely low detection limits and removal technologies to further protect human health. EPA has prioritized PFAS research in the past decade and has made many improvements towards how stakeholders can detect, monitor, and remove PFAS from drinking water sources.

Current technologies for detecting and quantifying PFAS, typically liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) [7], are time-consuming, expensive, and performed off-site in specialized laboratories. Nanosensors present an opportunity for quick, less expensive, reliable, and on-site detection of PFAS in different water matrices [8, 9,10, 11].

The high surface to volume ratios and flexible surface functionalization makes nanomaterials highly sensitive to changes in surface chemistry, thus allowing nanotechnology-enabled sensors to achieve extremely low detection limits [12, 13, 14, 15]. While efforts are being made to improve the specificity and sensitivity of environmental sensors at low detection levels, 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 questions of assay selectivity and sensitivity in complex matrices remain [12]. There are many desired characteristics of environmental sensors, including operational convenience (portability, functionality at room temperature), high-resolution monitoring for big data applications, real-time measurements, rapid response and processing time, long-term stability, and reproducibility [16]. The robust and user-friendly design of sensors are essential if stakeholders such as communities, state and local governments, Tribes, and others are going to be empowered to monitor their environment. Nanotechnology can help environmental sensors meet the needs described above, which are difficult to attain with traditional lab-based analyses and provide a tool for real-world implementation of sensors that are rapid, reliable, and accessible to communities.

PFAS have been referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to most biological and chemical degradation mechanisms. The strong C-F bonds that give PFAS their desirable properties also make these compounds resistant to degradation. Conventional treatment of PFAS-contaminated water is focused on removal techniques like adsorption, ion exchange, and membrane filtration that are not focused on destruction. Adsorbents or membrane-based separation processes create PFAS-contaminated solid or liquid waste streams that must be managed, but do not address how to degrade these persistent pollutants. There is a need for degradation approaches that break C-F bonds, resulting in full mineralization of PFAS. Previous studies have shown nanomaterials to achieve destruction of the carbon-fluorine bond through mineralization, which creates non-harmful by-products [17].

C. Authority and Regulations

The authority for this RFA and resulting award is contained in the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2609, Section 10, as amended by P.L. 106-74; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C.

300j-1, Section 1442; and the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1254, Section 104(b)(3).

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

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

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

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

The activities to be funded under this solicitation support EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment, Objective 7.2:

Promote Pollution Prevention, of the Plan.

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

The proposed research award supports 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 supporting strategies for use by state, tribal, and local programs and communities to reduce risks posed by PFAS exposure.

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

EPA is interested in a holistic approach for detecting, monitoring, and degrading PFAS in groundwater or surface water that may be used as drinking water sources. Nanosensors to detect and monitor PFAS should be integrated with a nanotechnology-based treatment mineralization process focused on destruction of the carbon-fluorine bond. Projects should make a case for a sensing solution as well as a degradation solution that does not create harmful by-products.

The specific PFAS studied should be in EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) [18]. The relevant PFAS are listed below:

• 11-choroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)

• 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)

• 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)

• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO DA)

• Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)

• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)

• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) 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

• 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2FTS)

• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)

• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)

• Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)

• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)

• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)

• 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2FTS)

• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)

• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)

• Perfluoro-3-methoxypropsanoic acid (PFMPA)

• Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)

• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

• 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2FTS)

• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)

• Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)

• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)

• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)

• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)

• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)

The type of nanomaterial (e.g., carbon-based, metal oxides, quantum dots), other recognition element (e.g., antibodies, enzymes, DNA), and signal transduction method (e.g., optical, electrochemical, magnetic) that make up the nanosensor are at the discretion of the applicant.

Projects may use different nanoparticles for the detection/monitoring and degradation portions of the project but should focus on the same PFAS.

EPA is seeking projects with expected results that can be practically applied in real-world settings and potentially transform environmental monitoring and management, not proof-of-concept or bench-scale projects. While this RFA solicits original nanotechnology projects, applicants should not propose a new prototype but rather a system that can be demonstrated to detect and degrade contaminants in the relevant environment. Assessment with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) is a formal approach to evaluate the maturity of a technology and has been widely adopted by the industry to manage technology development [19, 20, 21]. There are three main stages of development. The first stage (technology with TRL 1-3) involves designing a feasibility prototype based on an invention. The second stage (technology with TRL 4-6) requires prototype development, aiming to deliver the α-prototype, that embeds all the essential features in the final product. The final stage (technology with TRL 7-9) involves commercial product development [20]. See Table 23 in the report titled Development of a Disposable AChE https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=352598&Lab=CESER

Sensor for As(III) and Field Analysis Method; Tests with Groundwater Samples from Shepley’s Hill Landfill for characteristics, activities, and deliverables typical of TRL for sensor development. This RFA is seeking nanotechnology that is ready to be validated and demonstrated outside the lab in the relevant environment, equivalent to a TRL of 5-6.

Applications should clearly define the TRL of their technology. Projects with a TRL of 4 or less may not be rated as highly as those with a TRL of 5-6. (NOTE: STAR grant funding must be used for research and cannot be used for commercialization or for-profit initiatives such as business creation. Therefore, this solicitation does not support projects with a TRL of 7-9.)

This RFA solicits applications that address both of the following research areas.

Applications that only address one research area may not be rated as highly as those that address both.

Research Area 1: Develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology to detect and monitor

PFAS

The proposed nanotechnology should specifically detect and monitor PFAS in groundwater or surface water that may be used as drinking water sources.

The ideal nanosensor should:

• Have a broad range of capabilities for the measurement of PFAS in water.

• Be reliable and easy to operate.

• Function in a range of chemical concentrations relevant to human health.

• Demonstrate high sensitivity and selectivity with detection limit values on par with the minimum reporting levels in the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR

5) [18].

• Detect PFAS in the environment at or near to real time.

• Function under conditions normally associated with real environmental matrices.

• Provide temporal data for the location and time of measurement.

• Collect information on fate and transport of PFAS across a large distance.

• Communicate wirelessly to users.

• Have potential to be integrated into a comprehensive monitoring system.

Research Area 2: Develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology with functionalized catalysts to degrade PFAS The proposed nanotechnology should degrade PFAS through chemical reactions that render the pollutants harmless and create non-harmful by-products. Applications should demonstrate enhanced performance of the nanotechnology-enabled catalysis through improved efficiency (speed and completeness of the reaction) and sustainability (input and by-products of the reaction).

Outputs and Outcomes Outputs expected from the research funded under this RFA may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Nanosensors with proven sensitivity and selectivity to monitor spatial and temporal changes in PFAS in the field.

• Demonstration of nanosensors that are scalable and practical for use beyond laboratory settings to provide real-time data on PFAS concentrations for water quality managers.

• Nanotechnology with demonstrated ability to remove and/or degrade PFAS in water.

• Identification of cases where environmental sensing and management needs are unmet and may be addressed with nanotechnology.

• Demonstration of how nanotechnology can be developed, scaled, and implemented for environmental sensing and management.

• Evidence for development and scale-up process, demonstration scenarios, and cost structure to apply nanotechnology sensors and catalysts in environmental sensing and management.

• Established test cases for future applications of nano-enabled sensing and catalysis for environmental monitoring and management.

• Versatile and vibrant systems which involve cutting-edge techniques in sensing and monitoring.

• Reports and peer reviewed publications pertaining to the research areas listed above.

• Outreach materials for stakeholders such as state and local governments demonstrating the benefits of nanosensor technology for environmental sensing and management.

Outcomes expected from the research funded under this RFA may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Improved understanding of environmental sensing at the nanoscale.

• Improved ability for nanosensors to measure many analytes simultaneously and near real-time.

• Improved spatial and temporal resolution of nanosensors for more accurate and precise modeling.

E. References

1. PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA's Commitments to Action 2021-2024. United States

Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024.

2. About Nanotechnology. National Nanotechnology Initiative. Available at:

https://www.nano.gov/about-nanotechnology.

3. Applications of Nanotechnology. National Nanotechnology Initiative. Available at:

https://www.nano.gov/about-nanotechnology/applications-nanotechnology.

https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024 https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024 https://www.nano.gov/about-nanotechnology https://www.nano.gov/about-nanotechnology/applications-nanotechnology

4. Willner, MR. and Vikesland, PJ. (2018). Nanomaterial enabled sensors for environmental contaminants. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 16. Available at:

https://jnanobiotechnology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12951-018-0419-1.

5. Javid, M., Haleem, A., Singh, R.P., Rab, S., and Suman, R. (2021). Exploring the potential of nanosensors: A brief overview. Sensors International, 2: 100130. Available at:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666351121000516.

6. Yin S and Villagran D. (2022). Design of nanomaterials for the removal of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water: strategies, mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities. Science of the Total Environment, 831. Available at:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722020320

7. PFAS Analytical Methods Development and Sampling Research. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/water-research/pfas-analytical-methods-development-and-sampling-research.

8. Cheng YH, Barpaga D, Soltis JA, Shutthanandan V, Kargupta R., Han KS, McGrail BP, Motkuri RK, Basuray S, and Chatterjee S. (2020). Metal-organic framework-based microfluidic impedance sensor platform for ultrasensitive detection of perfluorooctanesulfonate. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 12, 9: 10503-10514. Available at:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.9b22445.

9. Sahu SP, Kole S, Arges CG, and Gartia MR. (2022). Rapid and direct perfluorooctanoic acid sensing with selective ionomer coatings on screen-printed electrodes under environmentally relevant concentrations. ACS Omega, 7, 6: 5001-5007. Available at:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.1c05847.

10. Karimian N, Stortini AM, Moretto LM, Costantino C, Bogialli S, and Ugo P. (2018).

Electrochemosensor for trace analysis of perflurooctanesulfonate in water based on a molecularly imprinted poly(o-phenylenediamine) polymer. ACS Sens., 3, 7: 1291-1298.

Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.8b00154#.

11. Huang T, McClelland A, and Zeng TH. (2022). Trace PFAS detection in water sources using silver nanoparticles for surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS). 2022 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Nanotechnology (NANO). Available at:

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9928684.

12. Zhao X, Liw W, Cai Z, Han B, Qian T, and Zhao D. (2016). An Overview of Preparation and Applications of Stabilized Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles for Soil and Groundwater Remediation. Water Research, 100: 245–266. Available at:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135416303372.

13. Galdames A, Ruiz-Rubio L, Orueta M, Sanchez-Arzalluz M, and Vilas-Vilela JL. (2020).

Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles for Soil and Groundwater Remediation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16): 5817. Available at:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32796749/.

14. Fryxell G, Liu J, and Mattigod S. (1999). Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Supports (SAMMS) – an Innovative Environmental Sorbent. Materials Technology, 14 (4):

188-191. Available at:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10667857.1999.11752837.

https://jnanobiotechnology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12951-018-0419-1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666351121000516 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722020320 https://www.epa.gov/water-research/pfas-analytical-methods-development-and-sampling-research https://www.epa.gov/water-research/pfas-analytical-methods-development-and-sampling-research https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.9b22445 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.1c05847 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.8b00154 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9928684 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135416303372 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32796749/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10667857.1999.11752837

15. Theron J, Walker J, and Cloete T. (2008). Nanotechnology and Water Treatment:

applications and emerging opportunities. Crit Rev Microbiol, 34:43–69. Available at:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18259980/.

16. Tratnyek PG and Johnson RL. (2006). Nanotechnologies for environmental cleanup. Nano Today, 1: 44–48. Available at:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1748013206700482?via%3Dihub.

17. Saleh NB, Khalid A, Tian Y, Ayres C, Sabaraya IV, Pietari J, Hanigan D, Chowdhury I, and Apul OG. (2019). Removal of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances from aqueous systems by nano-enabled water treatment strategies. Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 5: 198-208.

Available at: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/EW/C8EW00621K

18. Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. US EPA. Available at:

https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule

19. Li T, Ford R, Berberich J, Sahle-Demessie E, Varughese E, and Wilkin R. (2021).

Development of a disposable AChE sensor for As(III) and field analysis method; tests with groundwater samples from Shepley’s Hill landfill. Available at:

https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=352598&Lab=CESER.

20. Mankins J. (1995). Technology Readiness Levels – A White Paper. NASA Office of Space Access and Technology. Available at:

http://www.artemisinnovation.com/images/TRL_White_Paper_2004-Edited.pdf.

21. Tzinis I. (2012). Technology Readiness Level. NASA. Available at:

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/technology_readiness_le vel.

F. Special Requirements

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

recognizing proprietary interests, confidential business information, and intellectual property rights; and avoiding significant negative impact on intellectual property rights, innovation, and U.S. competitiveness.

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

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18259980/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1748013206700482?via%3Dihub https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/EW/C8EW00621K https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=352598&Lab=CESER http://www.artemisinnovation.com/images/TRL_White_Paper_2004-Edited.pdf https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/technology_readiness_level https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/technology_readiness_level

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 particular application.

Multiple Investigator applications may be submitted as: (1) a single Lead Principal Investigator (PI) application with Co-PI(s) or (2) a Multiple PI application (with a single Contact PI). If you choose to submit a Multiple PI application, you must follow the specific instructions provided in Sections IV and V of this RFA. For further information, please see the EPA Implementation Plan for Policy on Multiple Principal Investigators (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies).

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

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

G. 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 $1.5 million will be awarded under this announcement, depending on the availability of funds, quality of applications received, and other https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses applicable considerations. The EPA anticipates funding approximately 1 award under this RFA.

Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $1,500,000 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.

The EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards 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 a grant under this announcement.

Under a grant, EPA scientists and engineers are not permitted to 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.

Potential applicants who are uncertain of their eligibility should contact Ron Josephson in ORD, phone: 202-564-7823, email: josephson.ron@epa.gov.

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.

mailto:josephson.ron@epa.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

Also, applications exceeding the funding limits or project period described herein will be rejected without review. See Section II. Further, applications that fail to demonstrate a public purpose of support 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 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 https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms), all necessary forms are included in the electronic application package. Make sure to include the current and pending support form in your Grants.gov submission.

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 https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement first year expenses. The form must contain the signature of an authorized representative of the applying organization.

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 https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-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.F. 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 https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-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:

https://www.epa.gov/grants/tips-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.G). EPA expects recipients of funding to comply with competitive procurement contracting requirements as well as EPA’s rule on Participation by https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/tips-completing-epa-form-4700-4

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in EPA Programs in 40 CFR Part 33. The Agency does not accept justifications for sole source contracts for services or products available in the commercial marketplace based on a contractor’s role in preparing an application.

Please note that cost sharing is not required.

5. Project Narrative, submitted using Project Narrative Attachment Form and prepared as described below:

i) Table of Contents

Provide a list of the major subdivisions of the application indicating the page number on which each section begins.

ii) Abstract (1 page)

The abstract is a very important document in the review process. Therefore, it is critical that the abstract accurately describes the research being proposed and conveys all the essential elements of the research. Also, the abstracts of applications that receive funding will be posted on EPA’s Research Grants website.

The abstract must include the information described below (a-h). Examples of abstracts for current grants may be found on EPA’s Research Grants website.

a. Funding Opportunity Title and Number for this application.

b. Project Title: Use the exact title of your project as it appears in the application. The title must be brief yet represent the major thrust of the project. Because the title will be used by those not familiar with the project, use more commonly understood terminology. Do not use general phrases such as “research on.”

c. Investigators: For applications with multiple investigators,…