Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42 Clinical Trial Optional)
Notice Number:
NOT-ES-22-014

Key Dates

Release Date:
October 07, 2022
Estimated Publication Date of Funding Opportunity Announcement:
April 03, 2023
First Estimated Application Due Date:
October 01, 2023
Earliest Estimated Award Date:
February 01, 2025
Earliest Estimated Start Date:
February 01, 2025
Related Announcements

None

Issued by

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Purpose

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences intends to publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications for the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42 Clinical Trial Optional), referred to as Superfund Research Program (SRP) Centers. SRP Center grants will support problem-based, solution-oriented research Centers that consist of multiple, integrated projects representing both the biomedical and environmental science and engineering disciplines; as well as cores tasked with administrative (which includes research translation), data management and analysis, community engagement, research experience and training coordination, and research support functions. The scope of the SRP Centers is taken directly from the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and includes: (1) advanced techniques for the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effect on human health of hazardous substances; (2) methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous substances; (3) methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment; and (4) basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects/cores.

The FOA is expected to be published in April 2023 with an expected application due date in October 2023.

This FOA will utilize the P42 activity code. Details of the planned FOA are provided below.

Research Initiative Details

SRP Centers are expected to include the following without exceeding a total of 11 projects and cores:

Research Projects: All applicants are required to include at least 2 Biomedical Research Projects, and at least 2 Environmental Science and Engineering Research Projects not to exceed 6 total projects. Biomedical Research (BMR) Projects: A minimum of 2 (maximum of 4) BMR projects are required and should address biomedical or human health-related implications of hazardous substances. This includes but is not limited to: toxicology studies, epidemiology, mechanistic studies, genetic susceptibility, computational toxicology, biomedical engineering, preclinical/clinical intervention, or efficacy of prevention studies. Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) Projects: A minimum of 2 (maximum of 4) ESE projects are required and should address environmental science or engineering implications of hazardous substances. These projects are integral to the protection of human health through predicting, detecting, and preventing exposures. ESE projects include, but would not be limited to: remediation, geochemical, ecological, civil/environmental engineering, geology, microbiology, fate and transport studies, hydrogeology, and detection sciences. At least one environmental science and engineering project must support SRP’s fourth mandate “basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances.”

Administrative Core: SRP requires an Administrative Core in each SRP Center grant application. This core leads the Center, maintains the organization of the Center, ensures that the projects and cores are being supported to achieve the Center’s goals, and facilitates "research translation" defined as “communicating and facilitating the use of research findings emanating from the Center in the manner most appropriate for their application and the advancement of research objectives.”

Data Management and Analysis Core:  All applicants are required to have a Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC). The primary purpose of the DMAC is to support the management and integration of data assets across the Center and to promote best principles so data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). One of the purposes of the DMAC is to support the new NIH policy for data management and sharing (NOT-OD-20-013).

Community Engagement Core: All applicants are required to include a Community Engagement Core (CEC). The purpose of the CEC is to ensure bidirectional communication between the CEC and communities affected by hazardous substances. The CEC directs best practices and activities in community engagement for prevention and/or intervention - thereby providing potential solutions to communities to reduce or mitigate the impact of hazardous substance exposure. For the purposes of this FOA and to be consistent with its mandates, the SRP refers to prevention/intervention as “basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances.”

Research Experience and Training Coordination Core: All applicants are required to include a Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC) to coordinate graduate and postdoctoral level cross-disciplinary research experiences and training in fields related to biomedical research and environmental science and engineering research. 

Research Support Cores (optional):  SRP Centers may choose to include Research Support Core(s) (maximum of 2) to provide essential, centralized services, or resources that will result in an economy of effort and/or savings to the overall costs of a Center.

Funding Information

TBD

Estimated Total Funding

$25 million

Expected Number of Awards

Up to 12

Estimated Award Ceiling

Applicants may request a budget for direct costs of up to $1.75 million for each year for up to 5 years.

Primary Assistance Listing Number(s)

93.143

Anticipated Eligible Organizations
Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Michelle Heacock, Ph.D.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
984-287-3267
heacockm@niehs.nih.gov

Danielle Carlin, Ph.D., DABT
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
984-287-3244
danielle.carlin@nih.gov

Heather Henry, Ph.D.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
984-287-3268
heather.henry@nih.gov