Student Driven Research and Long Term Monitoring of Selected Populations in the Valley and Ridge Eco-region

The Department of Energy funds student-driven environmental research and extended learning experiences through CFDA 81.102, with the most recent grant award disbursed on February 8, 2017—nine years and eight months ago. This program is no longer actively soliciting new applications; it provides renewals only to existing recipients and is reviewed and approved by the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management.

The program funds middle school, high school, and undergraduate students' field research and data analysis in ecology, resource conservation, and management strategies, along with community outreach through student-driven presentations and publications. Student research projects have included long-term monitoring of selected populations in the Valley and Ridge ecoregion and creation and restoration of semi-permanent wetlands. The program also supports academic partnerships in environmental technology and waste management education.

Funding is split evenly between Cooperative Agreements (54 percent of awards) and Project Grants (46 percent), with the Department of Energy providing 11 awards totaling $33 million in federal obligations and the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management providing 2 awards totaling $1.1 million. Combined federal dollars obligated total $34.1 million across 13 awards spanning from 1990 to 2017. Award cadence has been sparse in recent decades—one award per year in 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2017—suggesting limited new funding flow. Grant periods vary by project; one project grant obligated $1.1 million with a completion date extended to June 30, 2026. Recipients have included the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization, Los Alamos Public Schools, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund's Education Institution Student Partnership Program.

No open grant opportunities are currently available under this program. Applicants must maintain records for three years following the final financial report and comply with 2 CFR 200 and 910, along with annual A-133 audits.