The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks applications proposing to take a holistic approach, grounded in research and innovation, to develop and demonstrate solutions to real world challenges. The People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative technology-based projects that achieve the mutual goals of improved quality of life, economic prosperity, and environmental protection. P3 encourages interdisciplinary collaborations across academic departments and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines to devise innovative solutions to environmental and public health challenges in the U.S., including those in small, rural, Tribal and/or underserved communities.
P3 supports STEM education through hands-on experience and training that brings their classroom learning to life, while also allowing student teams to create tangible changes in their communities. To the extent practicable, applicants should describe the STEM education ecosystem in their project. A STEM education ecosystem consists of partners united by a collective vision of supporting participation in STEM through the creation of accessible, inclusive STEM learning opportunities spanning all education stages and career pathways. A STEM education ecosystem continuously evaluates its activities and adapts as needed, plans for the long-term, and communicates its work to build broad support and advance best-practices.
The P3 program is emphasizing the use of innovation in projects submitted to this announcement. The program challenges and empowers interdisciplinary student teams to transform their classroom learning into hands-on experience by designing and demonstrating tangible solutions to real-world environmental issues in their communities.
Deadline: Feb. 21, 2024
Funding Opportunity Numbers:
- EPA-G2024-P3-Q1 – Clean and Healthy Air
- EPA-G2024-P3-Q2 – Clean and Safe Water
- EPA-G2024-P3-Q3 – Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
- EPA-G2024-P3-Q4 – Ensure Safety of Chemicals
Public and private institutions of higher education (limited to degree-granting institutions of higher education) located in the U.S. (includes eligible institutions of higher education located in U.S. territories and possessions) are eligible to apply to be the recipient of a grant to support teams of undergraduate, graduate students, or both. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to receive assistance agreements from the EPA under this program.
The students on the teams supported by the institution receiving the grant must be enrolled in the college, university, or post-secondary educational institution they will be representing at the time the application is submitted. Institutions are allowed to submit more than one application where each application represents a unique design concept and student team. For the purposes of grant administration, the team's faculty advisor will be designated the Principal Investigator throughout the P3 grant award and competition process.
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.
It is anticipated that a total of approximately $1.2 million will be awarded under this announcement, depending on the availability of funds, quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. The EPA anticipates funding approximately 16 awards under this RFA. Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $75,000 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 2 years.