The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is asking the scientific community to propose transdisciplinary research to develop or apply innovative approaches/methods to improve the estimates, better characterize the variability, and reduce the uncertainty concerning chemical exposures via soil and dust ingestion for children aged 6 months through 6 years.
This Request for Applications (RFA) asks the scientific community to submit a transdisciplinary research project to develop or apply innovative approaches and methodologies to determine scientifically verifiable and accurate chemical exposures via ingestion rates of soil and dust for children from 6 months through 6 years of age in association with relevant individual, environmental, social and/or cultural factors. Investigators are encouraged to use a holistic research framework or approach, such as the total environment (built, natural, and social) framework (https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.rfatex...) (11) to ensure comprehensive examination of all key relevant factors that may affect soil and dust ingestion rates by children and exposure to environmental toxicants via ingestion. Investigators are also encouraged to develop a collaborative team to consider geographic and demographic parameters (e.g., location, soil type, climate, urban/rural/suburban, socioeconomic) regarding soil and dust ingestion rates in children. The research scope could include integration with any available data (state, local, national) pertaining to health (e.g., health records, epidemiological, or biomonitoring) and the environment (e.g., built, social, and natural environmental data such as housing, income, education) that may be relevant to children aged 6 months through 6 years of age.
Solicitation Closing Date: August 5, 2020
Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and hospitals located in the U.S., state and local governments, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. See full announcement for more details.
Anticipated Funding Amount: Approximately $8.1 million total for all awards
Potential Funding per Award: Up to a total of $1.35 million, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of 3 years. Cost-sharing is not required. Applications with budgets exceeding the total award limits will not be considered
