NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances_Basic Research and Education

The NIEHS Superfund Basic Research and Training Program is authorized through the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. This includes the following research and training areas directed towards understanding and attenuating the public health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances: (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.

An accredited institution of higher education, as defined in the Higher Education Act, 20 U.S.C. (annotated) 3381, may submit an application and receive a grant for support of research by a named principal investigator. Subcontracts may be made with public and private organizations, including: generators of hazardous wastes; persons involved in the detection, assessment, evaluation, and treatment of hazardous substances; owners and operators of facilities at which hazardous substances are located; and State, local and Tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations which are incorporated under 501(c)(4) are prohibited from receiving grants. Organizations applying for a grant under the SBIR/STTR programs must qualify as a U.S.-owned Small Business Concern (SBC).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to program mandates and the stated program objectives. For renewal applications, additional criteria include the progress made in the prior grant period. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following...