Office of Research and Development Consolidated Research/Training/Fellowships

The Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solution (OASES) Consolidated Research/Training/Fellowships program supports research and development to: (1) determine the environmental effects of air quality, drinking water, water quality, climate change, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides; (2) identify, develop, and demonstrate effective pollution control techniques to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution; (3) support risk assessments to characterize the potential adverse health effects of human exposures to environmental hazards; and (4) facilitate training and program participant support in these areas. This program may also implement special Congressionally directed projects or programs identified in EPA's annual appropriations act or committee reports incorporated by reference into the annual appropriation act. Awards made under this program further EPA’s priorities supporting robust science for air, climate, and energy; safe and sustainable water resources; sustainable and healthy communities; chemical safety; and health and environmental risk assessment. Please check the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/research-grants for an updated listing of all solicitations.

The EPA uses this assistance listing for the National Priorities Research competition under which applicant eligibility has been limited to public and private nonprofit institutions and public and private universities and colleges located in the United States, consistent with congressional intent. For certain Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Only these types of organizations may apply. Organization types are consistent with definitions at 2 CFR 200.1: U.S. States. U.S. territories and possessions. Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments. Public and private institutions of higher education located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions. Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions. State and local government departments. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities. 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 program. 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. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to receive assistance agreements from the EPA under this program. 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. 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. Certain competitions may allow for early career awards. The following requirements in addition to the requirements listed above apply to early career awards. The early career awards will support research performed by Principal Investigators (PIs) with outstanding promise. PIs from eligible applicant institutions applying for the early career portion of the funding opportunity must meet the following additional eligibility requirements: 1. By the closing date of the funding opportunity, hold a doctoral degree (for example, a Ph.D. or equivalent) in a field related to the research being solicited; 2. Have received the doctoral degree no earlier than 10 years before the month of the closing date of the funding opportunity; and 3. Be untenured by the closing date of the funding opportunity. In order to be deemed eligible, the application must include an early career verification. See funding opportunities at: https://www.epa.gov/research-grants for additional information pertaining to eligibility requirements.

Public nonprofit institutions/organizations and private nonprofit institutions/organizations; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; U.S. territories or possessions; anyone/general public; health professionals; education professionals; students/trainees; graduate students; scientists/researchers; and foreign universities/organizations.

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards made under this assistance listing, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant. Customarily, applicants are notified about award decisions within six months of the solicitation deadline. After being recommended for award, applicants will be required to submit additional certifications and may be requested to provide responses to comments or suggestions offered by the peer reviewers, a revised budget, and/or make appropriate revisions. EPA Project Officers will contact Principal Investigators to obtain these materials. The official notification of an award will be made by the Agency's Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division. Before or after award, certain applicants will be expected to provide additional quality assurance documentation.

Approximately 120-180 days.