Grantee Research Project Results

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Center for Environmental Research
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program

Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

CLOSED: FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY

Recipients List

Funding Opportunity Number:
EPA-G2017-STAR-A1, Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms
EPA-G2017-STAR-A2, Early Career: Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: October 28, 2016
Solicitation Closing Date: January 4, 2017, 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time

Technical Contact: Michael Hiscock (hiscock.michael@epa.gov); phone: 202-564-4453
Eligibility Contact: Ron Josephson (josephson.ron@epa.gov); phone: 202-564-7823
Electronic Submissions: Debra M. Jones (jones.debram@epa.gov); phone: 202-564-7839

Table of Contents:
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
	Synopsis of Program
	Award Information
	Eligibility Information
	Application Materials
	Agency Contacts
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
	A. Introduction
	B. Background
	C. Authority and Regulations
	D. Specific Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes
	E. References
	F. Special Requirements
II. AWARD INFORMATION
III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
	A. Eligible Applicants
	B. Cost Sharing
	C. Other
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
	A. Grants.gov Submittal Requirements and Limited Exception Procedures
	B. Application Package Information
	C. Content and Form of Application Submission
	D. Submission Dates and Times
	E. Funding Restrictions
	F. Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements
V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
	A. Peer Review
	B. Programmatic Review
	C. Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS) Review
	D. Funding Decisions
	E. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation
VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
	A. Award Notices
	B. Disputes
	C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Access Standard STAR Forms (How to Apply and Required Forms)
View research awarded under previous solicitations (Past Research Funding Opportunities)

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Synopsis of Program:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking regular and early career applications proposing innovative research on the prediction, prevention, control and mitigation of freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) as well as the drivers, life cycle patterns, and fate of and effects from less-common, less-studied, and emerging freshwater HAB species and toxins.

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research.  Human subjects research supported by the EPA is governed by EPA Regulation 40 CFR Part 26 (Protection of Human Subjects).  This includes the Common Rule at subpart A and prohibitions and additional protections for pregnant women and fetuses, nursing women, and children at subparts B, C, and D.  Research meeting the regulatory definition of intentional exposure research found in subpart B is prohibited by that subpart in pregnant women, nursing women, and children.  Research meeting the regulatory definition of observational research found in subparts C and D is subject to the additional protections found in those subparts for pregnant women and fetuses (subpart C) and children (subpart D).  All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS, as described in Section IV.C.5.c of this solicitation), and if the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.C and V.D of this solicitation.

Guidance and training for investigators conducting EPA-funded research involving human subjects may be obtained here:
Basic Information about Human Subjects Research
Basic EPA Policy for Protection of Subjects in Human Research Conducted or Supported by EPA

In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards. The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career Principal Investigators (PIs). Please see Section III of this Request for Applications (RFA) for details on the early career eligibility criteria.

Award Information:
Anticipated Type of Award: Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately four regular and three early-career awards
Anticipated Funding Amount: Approximately $4 million total for all awards
Potential Funding per Award: Up to a total of $760,000 for regular awards and $320,000 for early career awards, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of three years.  Cost-sharing is not required.  Proposals with budgets exceeding the total award limits will not be considered.

Eligibility Information:
Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes public institutions of higher education and hospitals) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes 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. Special eligibility criteria apply to the early career award portion of this RFA. See full announcement for more details.

Application Materials:
To apply under this solicitation, use the application package available at Grants.gov (for further submission information see Section IV.F. “Submission Instructions and other Submission Requirements”).  Note: With the exception of the current and pending support form (available at How to Apply and Required Forms), all necessary forms are included in the electronic application package. Make sure to include the current and pending support form in your Grants.gov submission.

If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, you need to allow approximately one month to complete the registration process. Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a unique entity identifier (formerly ‘DUNS number’) and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more.  Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through Grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline.  This registration, and electronic submission of your application, must be performed by an authorized representative of your organization.

If you do not have the technical capability to utilize the Grants.gov application submission process for this solicitation, see Section IV.A below for additional guidance and instructions.

Agency Contacts:
Technical Contact: Michael Hiscock (hiscock.michael@epa.gov); phone: 202-564-4453
Eligibility Contact: Ron Josephson (josephson.ron@epa.gov); phone: 202-564-7823
Electronic Submissions: Debra M. Jones (jones.debram@epa.gov); phone: 202-564-7839

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and associated hypoxia events have devastating consequences for ecosystems, communities and the health of humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife (NSTC, 2016; U.S. EPA, 2015). Recent large scale HAB events in lakes and reservoirs across the country, as well as in large river systems (e.g., Ohio River), emphasize the need for further research to improve water quality and protect public health. HABs are defined here as the excessive growth of various species of phytoplankton, protists, cyanobacteria, and macro and benthic algae whose proliferation negatively impacts water quality, aquatic ecosystem stability, and animal and human health.  These harmful blooms may consist of toxic or nontoxic species, though both may have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources. HAB toxins may accumulate in the environment and throughout the food web and in drinking water, severely affecting the health of secondary and tertiary consumers.  Humans can be exposed to HAB toxins through drinking water consumption, recreational activities and consuming contaminated fauna (Zurawell et al., 2005). Exposure to these toxins through these various pathways may cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, kidney and liver toxicity, skin rashes, respiratory distress, muscle and joint pain and neurological symptoms (Hudnell, 2008; NSTC, 2016). While anthropogenically-stimulated high biomass bloom events may not necessarily produce toxins, they may cause hypoxia or anoxia, alter food webs and stimulate pathogenic bacterial growth that disrupts ecosystem balance and function (Wells et al., 2015).

In June 2014, Congress reauthorized the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA 2014, P.L. 113-124), recognizing concerns related to HABs and hypoxia.  Modifications extended the scope of the legislation to include freshwater HABs and hypoxia and acknowledged the need for further coordinated action across the Federal sector. While HABs and hypoxia occur in marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems, the focus of this RFA will be on applications proposing innovative research on the prediction, prevention, control and mitigation of freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) as well as the drivers, life cycle patterns, and fate of and effects from less-common, less-studied, and emerging freshwater HAB species and toxins.  Specifically, the RFA seeks applications on non-agriculture freshwaters that are important to aquatic ecosystems, drinking water, and recreational activity.  Research related to retention ponds, detention ponds and stormwater control are not of interest, or responsive, under this RFA. 

In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards. The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career PIs. Please see Section III of this RFA for details on the early career eligibility criteria. 

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061). A list of these schools can be found at White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
2. Tribal Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20  U.S.C. § 1059(c)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities;
3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1101a(a)(5). There is no list of HSIs. HSIs are institutions of higher education that, at the time of application submittal, have an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application for this grant; and
4. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; (AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(a)(2)). There is no list of AANAPISIs. AANAPISIs are institutions of higher education that, at the time of application submittal, have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is not less than 10 % students who are Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander.

B. Background
The occurrence of HABs is increasingly common in inland freshwater ecosystems.  HABs have been recorded in the waters of all 50 states (NOAA, 2016), including in small rivers (Klamath River, CA, Upper East River, WI; Merriman, 2015; Jacoby and Kann, 2007), small lakes (Black Lake, ID, Lake Oswego and Eel Lake, OR; Kann and Falter, 1986), large rivers (Mississippi River; Baker and Baker, 1979) and reservoirs (Copco, Iron Gate, CA, Cascade Reservior, ID; Jacoby and Kann, 2007).  Yet basic questions of HAB occurrence, extent, intensity, and timing are largely unanswered (NSTC, 2016; Ho and Michalak, 2015; U.S. EPA, 2015).  HABs occur when physical, chemical and biological conditions are optimal for bloom development. Previous research identifies factors that influence the likelihood of bloom development including physical drivers such as rainfall, extreme events, stratification, currents, wind, and mixing as well as temperature and light penetration. Chemical factors such as acidification and macro- and micronutrient input and biological factors such as grazing pressure, competition and behavior all affect the probability of bloom events (Paerl et al., 2014; Wells et al, 2015). Researchers hypothesize that the increase in documented HAB events may be attributed to increased awareness of toxic species, excessive nutrient loading, an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, and altered nutrient dynamics due to invasive species (Hallegraeff et al., 2003).

HAB research is complex as environmental drivers are multifaceted, interrelated, and species- and toxin-specific. Toxins frequently associated with blooms include anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, nodularin, saxitoxin, and microcystin. The phylum Cyanobacteria include a significant number of the toxic freshwater HABs genera including Planktothrix, Microcystis, Cylindrospermopsis, Anabena, and Aphanozomenon. HABs occur globally and are increasingly common in inland lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers and contribute to various socioeconomic and ecological effects (Carmichael and Boyer, 2016).  HAB toxins are responsible for illness and death of wild and domestic animals and have been linked to human health issues.  There have been various cases in freshwater inland systems where HABs have threatened human health, such as the “do not drink” water advisory in Toledo, Ohio. In 2007, 11 states reported 70 pet, livestock, and wildlife mortality and morbidity cases related to freshwater HABs (Backer et al., 2015).  The Harmful Algal Bloom-related Illness Surveillance System reported 176 cases of human illnesses reported in association with HABs in 11 states from 2007-2011 (Backer et al., 2015). Symptoms can be mild to severe and even life threatening in some cases.  The increase in HAB occurrences has triggered the need to track health issues related to HABs. The One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS) collects nation-wide environmental and health data due to HAB related illnesses.

While some cyanotoxins have been a priority research target due to their known consequences to human health and have been well studied, there has been limited research on many other known cyanotoxins and their congeners, cynanobacteria-produced bioactive compounds, and emerging freshwater HAB species and toxins (Lopez et al., 2008).  For example, golden algae (Prymnesium parvum) was first observed in North America in the 1980’s.  In the past decade there has also been an increasing amount of the invasive Prymnesium parvum in inland lakes and rivers in the United States with outbreaks in at least 18 states. This algae has compromised drinking water supplies, caused fish kills and burdened the economy with tens of millions of dollars in natural resources damages (Brooks et al., 2011). In Texas alone, Prymnesium parvum is responsible for 35 million fish kills (Brooks et al., 2011). The rapid proliferation of this toxic, invasive species is just one example of potentially threatening emerging species whose growth and proliferation are less well understood (Hambright, 2012).

Developing a predictive understanding of the occurrence, extent, intensity, and timing of HABs is dependent on understanding the interrelated and species-specific environmental drivers of HABs and toxin production.  Previous research has shown water temperature is an important driver as it influences both the physical environment and biological community. Temperature has been shown to affect motility, germination, nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and physiological processes (Eppley, 1972; Yamochi and Joh, 1986; Lewis et al., 1993; Geider and La Roche, 2002; Beardall and Raven, 2004; Montresor et al., 2006; Bissinger et al., 2008). Temperature affects survival, photosynthesis and biomass growth and may be related to toxicity in some species (Wells et al., 2015).

Further, temperature effects stratification and intensification of the pycnocline which increases the likelihood of HABs development.  Greater stratification leads to the concentration of nutrients and the development of thin layers which become hotspots for growth and HAB toxin production (Figueiras et al., 2006; Berdalet et al., 2012). Light intensity has also been shown to influence toxin production as under high light intensities phytoplankton alter photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments (Jeffrey et al., 1999). For example, many MAA species (mycosporine like amino acids) known for their UV adsorbing properties are also toxic and form dense blooms. Specifically, cyanobacteria have photoprotective carotenoids and UV absorbing compounds which allow them to grow in intense radiation (Garcia-Pichel and Castenholz, 1993; Mohlin and Wulff, 2009; Carreto and Carignan, 2011; Mohlin et al., 2012). In microcystis aeruginosa, microcystin production increases with radiation (Kaebernick et al., 2000; Van de Waal et al., 2011).  Under the accepted paradigm, HAB species are photoautotrophs with simple macronutrient needs; therefore, high biomass events can be attributed to anthropogenic eutrophication and increased nitrogen and phosphorus loading (Rabalais et al., 2010; Paerl et al., 2014). Micronutrients may play a role in bloom development but this is not well documented (Wells et al., 2015).

In general, HABs are understood to be increasing spatially and temporally as a result of the increase in anthropogenic macronutrient inputs into surface waters (NRC, 2000; U.S. EPA, 2011; Bricker et al., 2008). This global phenomenon is often influenced by regional and local factors.  For example, differences in watershed sources of nutrients can affect the amount, timing of delivery, forms (i.e., nutrient speciation of both nitrogen and phosphorus), and stoichiometric ratios of these forms in surface waters (Finlay et al., 2010).  These factors, in turn, may be influential in creating optimal conditions for the proliferation of certain species and toxins (Gobler et al., 2016). 

Nutrients of allochthonous and autochthonous origin are both critical for algal bloom development.  Nutrients from point and nonpoint sources have immediate effects as they enter a body of water but also have long term effects due to nutrient retention and regeneration in sediments. Benthic fluxes of nitrogen and phosphorus release nutrients to the water column where they are available for uptake by algae (Sundback et al., 2003; Song et al., 2015; Smith and Swarzenski, 2012). These nutrients released from sediments can have a significant effect on primary production in marine and freshwater ecosystems (Dortch et al., 1997).  Benthic nitrogen and phosphorous fluxes can trigger high levels of phytoplankton biomass and the decomposition and mineralization of this biomass affects sediment respiration, redox potential and nutrient availability (Kemp, 2005; Carstensen et al., 2005). Concentrations of toxins in sediments can be explained by both sediment and water column parameters (Song et al., 2015).

The forms of anthropogenic nutrients are emerging as significant factors in the initiation, propagation, and maintenance of HABs.  Historically, the scientific literature has documented phosphorus to be the most significant nutrient in shaping the dynamics of freshwater algal productivity, including HABs (Schindler, 1974; Schindler et al., 1977), over large temporal and spatial scales.  Evidence is growing that nitrogen, in its myriad forms, is significant in shaping freshwater HAB and toxin dynamics over shorter temporal and spatial scales.  For example, Microcystis, one of the most frequently analyzed species, has been shown to be nitrogen-limited. A study specifically targeting microcystin showed microcystin cell density increased after peak N2 fixation was measured (Beversdorf et al., 2013).  Nutrient bioassay experiments have also demonstrated the stimulatory effects of nitrogen, either alone or in combination with phosphorus (Paerl et al., 2011). Correlative studies at larger temporal and spatial scales support these smaller scale studies.  For example a study of 143 lakes across various climates showed temperature and total nitrogen were the strongest explanatory variables for cyanobacteria biomass (Kosten et al., 2012). Similarly, in a study of 1147 lakes and reservoirs, a multiple linear regression showed total nitrogen and temperature were the determining factors for cyanobacteria abundance (Beaulieu et al., 2013). Other studies show decreases in nitrogen concentrations correlate with cyanobacteria loss (Scott and McCarthy, 2010).  Finally, total nitrogen, ammonium, and dissolved organic nitrogen significantly influence cyanobacterial assemblage structure, and Microcystis abundance has been found to relate positively to dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations (Davis et al., 2015; Yuan et al., 2014). As a result of increased understanding of relationships between cyanobacteria and nutrients, and to better inform protection efforts, modelers have suggested numeric nutrient targets to prevent overgrowth in different types of lakes and reservoirs (Yuan and Pollard, 2015).

Nutrient stoichiometry in surface waters has been changing over time either due to landscape changes (e.g., agriculture, urbanization), preferential reductions in phosphorus, or both.  Finlay et al. (2013) observed co-occurring multi-year decreases and increases in phosphorus and nitrogen, respectively, across multiple reservoirs, which was attributed to preferential phosphorus source control as compared to nitrogen.  Studies suggest that these shifts in nutrient stoichiometry may shape the community composition of HABs as well as the toxins they produce (Gobler et al., 2016).

Previous research also provides evidence for nitrogen influence on toxicity. Studies suggest there is a direct positive relationship between nitrogen availability and toxin production in microcystis and other toxic cyanobacteria (Lee et al., 2000; Van de Waal et al., 2011; Gobler et al., 2016; Vézie et al., 2002).  Common toxins such as microcystins, nodularins, cylindrospermopsins, and saxitoxins contain amino acids or amino acid precursors (Jones and Bachmann, 1976; Kellmann et al., 2008). Nitrogen supply and speciation can control microcystin synthesis and toxicity in other species (Dyhrman and Ruttenberg, 2006; Beversdorf et al., 2013). 

This request for applications seeks innovative research on the prediction, prevention, control and mitigation of freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) as well as the drivers, life cycle patterns, and fate of and effects from less-common, less-studied, and emerging freshwater HAB species and toxins.  Prevention refers to actions taken to keep HABs from occurring or from directly impacting a particular resource; control refers to actions to directly intervene in the bloom process; and mitigation refers to actions taken to reduce losses of resources and economics values and to minimize human health risks (Anderson, 2004).

The specific Strategic Goal and Objectives from the EPA’s Strategic Plan that relate to this solicitation are:

Goal 2: Protecting America's Waters, Objective 2.1: Protect Human Health,

Goal 2: Protecting America's Waters, Objective 2.2: Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems

The EPA’s FY 2014-18 Strategic Plan can be found at: EPA Strategic Plan

C. Authority and Regulations
The authority for this RFA and resulting awards is contained in the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-1, Section 1442(a)(1), the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1254, Section 104(b)(3), and the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2609, Section 10(a).

For research with an international aspect, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

Note that a project’s focus is to consist of activities within the statutory terms of EPA’s financial assistance authorities; specifically, the statute(s) listed above.  Generally, a project must address the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of air pollution, water pollution, solid/hazardous waste pollution, toxic substances control, or pesticide control depending on which statute(s) is listed above. Further note applications dealing with any aspect of or related to hydraulic fracking will not be funded by EPA through this program.

Additional applicable regulations include: 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 1500, and 40 CFR Part 40 (Research and Demonstration Grants).

D. Specific Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes
Note to applicant:  The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date.  The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective.

Researchers should address gaps in freshwater HAB research.  This research should help states and municipalities protect ecosystems and human health. Applicants should address at least one of the three research areas described below. Applications may respond to aspects of one research area in detail or integrate across aspects of two or three research areas.  Applications should clearly identify which research area(s) the application is addressing.

Specific Research Areas

1. Models and tools for predicting and preventing HABs: Identify indicators for communities, municipalities and states to use for accurately predicting and preventing freshwater HAB occurrence. In order to prevent HABs, develop and verify predictive tools to forecast the timing and magnitude of HAB events based on environmental and anthropogenic factors that initiate, propagate, and sustain HABs in inland freshwater lakes and rivers. Identify factors that cause extracellular release of HAB toxins and integrate those factors into predictive and preventative tools/models.  Integrate human exposure models (including drinking water and recreational exposure) and toxicity data to predict and prevent overall risk to consumers.
2. Mitigation and Control:  Identify strategies to control HABs and mitigate the effects of HABs in lakes and rivers once they have developed. Identify and evaluate control and mitigation methods and strategies for communities, municipalities and states to use for treating and removing HABs from lakes and rivers in-situ.  Examine the effects of water level and/or discharge flow rate management in upstream reservoirs on downstream HABs and develop strategies for comprehensive watershed management to suppress HAB occurrence in rivers. Identify and evaluate chemical and physical control and mitigation processes and assess their economic feasibility, unintended consequences, and scope/scale of efficacy.
3. Emerging HAB toxins: Identify the drivers and life-cycle patterns of emerging, less-studied, and less-common (relative to microcystin producers) HAB species that produce harmful toxins (e.g. saxitoxin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, nodularin).  Identify and evaluate the fate of and effects from emerging, less-studied, and less-common toxins on freshwater ecosystems and animal and human health.

Proposals that address more than one of the research areas above will not necessarily be rated more highly than those that address just one of the areas. This RFA seeks applications on non-agriculture freshwaters that are important to aquatic ecosystems, drinking water, and recreational activity. Research related to retention ponds, detention ponds and stormwater control are not of interest, or responsive, under this RFA. 

Expected Outputs and Outcomes
Outputs expected from this solicitation may include publications of research results in peer-reviewed journals, guidance documents, decision support tools, models, demonstration and case studies, reports, and presentations on the prediction, prevention, control and mitigation of freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) as well as the drivers, life cycle patterns, and fate of and effects from less-common, less-studied, and emerging freshwater HAB species and toxins. The desired outputs of this effort could include early warning, prediction, and prevention tools of HABs to help communities, municipalities, states, and drinking water managers prepare for, control and mitigate any potential effects, make better decisions related to resource and funding management, and prevent human- and animal-health impacts.  Outputs could also include information and user-friendly prediction and prevention tools that communities, resource managers, and decision makers need to make sustainable water-resource decisions and improve the capacity of stakeholder groups to predict, prevent and detect HABs in order to implement the necessary management actions and focus toxin testing where it is most needed.

Outcomes expected from this solicitation may include an increase in knowledge of HABs, changes in awareness of HABs occurances and effects, reductions in nutrient supply to inland fresh waterbodies, and reductions in adverse animal and human health effects caused by HABs.

To the extent practicable, research proposals must embody innovation and sustainability.  Innovation for the purposes of this RFA is defined as the process of making changes; a new method, custom or device.  Innovative research can take the form of wholly new applications or applications that build on existing knowledge and approaches for new uses.  Research proposals must include a discussion on how the proposed research is innovative (see Section IV.C.5.a).  The concept of sustainability is based on language in the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).  This definition is reiterated in Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environment, Energy, and Economic Performance, stating that the goal of sustainability is to, “create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations.” Research proposals must include a discussion on how the proposed research will seek sustainable solutions that protect the environment and strengthen our communities (see Section IV.C.5.a).  ORD will draw from all of the above-mentioned innovation and sustainability definitions in the review/evaluation process of recommending research proposals (see Section V.A).

E. References
Anderson, D. M. (2004). Prevention, control, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms: multiple approaches to HAB management. In S. Hall, S. Etheridge, D. Anderson, J. Kleindinst, M. Zhu, & Y. Zou (Eds.), Harmful Algae Management and Mitigation (pp. 123-130). Singapore: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Backer, L. C., Manassaram-Baptiste, D., LePrell, R., & Bolton, B. (2015). Cyanobacteria and Algae Blooms: Review of Health and Environmental Data from the Harmful Algal Bloom-Related Illness Surveillance System (HABISS) 2007-2011. Toxins, 7(4), 1048-1064. doi: 10.3390/toxins7041048

Baker, A. L., & Baker, K. K. (1979). Effects of temperature and current discharge on the concentration and photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton in the upper Mississippi River. Freshwater Biology, 9(3), 191-198.

Beardall, J., & Raven, J. A. (2004). The potential effects of global climate change on microalgal photosynthesis, growth and ecology. Phycologia, 43(1), 26-40.

Beaulieu, M., Pick, F., & Gregory-Eaves, I. (2013). Nutrients and water temperature are significant predictors of cyanobacterial biomass in a 1147 lakes data set. Limnology and Oceanography, 58(5), 1736-1746.

Berdalet, E., Bravo, I., Evans, J., Fraga, S., Kibler, S., Kudela, M., . . . Tester, P. A. (2012). Global ecology and oceanography of harmful algal blooms, GEOHAB Core Research Project: HABs in benthic systems (E. Berdalet, P. Tester, & A. Zingone Eds.). Paris and Newark: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Beversdorf, L. J., Miller, T. R., & McMahon, K. D. (2013). The role of nitrogen fixation in cyanobacterial bloom toxicity in a temperate, eutrophic lake. PLoS One, 8(2), e56103.

Bissinger, J. E., Montagnes, D. J., Sharples, J., & Atkinson, D. (2008). Predicting marine phytoplankton maximum growth rates from temperature: Improving on the Eppley curve using quantile regression. Limnology and Oceanography, 53(2), 487.

Bricker, S. B., Longstaff, B., Dennison, W., Jones, A., Boicourt, K., Wicks, C., & Woerner, J. (2008). Effects of nutrient enrichment in the nation's estuaries: a decade of change. Harmful Algae, 8(1), 21-32.

Brooks, B. W., Grover, J. P., & Roelke, D. L. (2011). Prymnesium parvum: an emerging threat to inland waters. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 30(9), 1955-1964.

Carmichael, W. W., & Boyer, G. L. (2016). Health impacts from cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms: Implications for the North American Great Lakes. Harmful Algae, 54, 194-212.

Carreto, J. I., & Carignan, M. O. (2011). Mycosporine-like amino acids: relevant secondary metabolites. Chemical and ecological aspects. Marine drugs, 9(3), 387-446.

Carstensen, J., Frohn, L. M., Hasager, C. B., & Gustafsson, B. G. (2005). Summer algal blooms in a coastal ecosystem: the role of atmospheric deposition versus entrainment fluxes. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 62(4), 595-608.

Davis, T. W., Bullerjahn, G. S., Tuttle, T., McKay, R. M., & Watson, S. B. (2015). Effects of Increasing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations on Phytoplankton Community Growth and Toxicity During Planktothrix Blooms in Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie. Environmental science & technology, 49(12), 7197-7207.

Dortch, Q., Robichaux, R., Pool, S., Milsted, D., Mire, G., Rabalais, N., . . . Parsons, M. L. (1997). Abundance and vertical flux of Pseudo-nitzschia in the northern Gulf of America. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 146, 249-264.

Dyhrman, S. T., & Ruttenberg, K. C. (2006). Presence and regulation of alkaline phosphatase activity in eukaryotic phytoplankton from the coastal ocean: Implications for dissolved organic phosphorus remineralization. Limnology and Oceanography, 51(3), 1381-1390.

Eppley, R. W. (1972). Temperature and phytoplankton growth in sea. Fishery Bulletin, 70(4), 1063-1085.

Figueiras, F., Pitcher, G., & Estrada, M. (2006). Harmful algal bloom dynamics in relation to physical processes. In M. M. Caldwell, G. Heldnaier, R. B. Jackson, O. L. Lange, H. A. Mooney, E.-D. Schulze, & U. Sommer (Eds.), Ecology of harmful algae (Vol. 189, pp. 127-138). Berlin Heidelberg New York: Springer.

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F. Special Requirements
Agency policy and ethical considerations prevent EPA technical staff and managers from providing applicants with information that may create an unfair competitive advantage.  Consequently, EPA employees will not review, comment, advise, and/or provide technical assistance to applicants preparing applications in response to EPA RFAs.  EPA employees cannot endorse any particular application.

Multiple Investigator applications may be submitted as: (1) a single Lead Principal Investigator (PI) application with Co-PI(s) or (2) a Multiple PI application (with a single Contact PI).  If you choose to submit a Multiple PI application, you must follow the specific instructions provided in Sections IV. and V. of this RFA.  For further information, please see the EPA Implementation Plan for Policy on Multiple Principal Investigators (Research Business Models Working Group).

Please note: Early career awards will not accommodate a Multiple PI application. Early career awards shall be submitted as a single Lead PI application.  Special eligibility criteria apply to the early career portion of this RFA. Please see Section III of this RFA for details on the early career eligibility criteria.  The application must include an early career verification (see “Early Career Verification” in Section IV.C.5.d).

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS; described in Section IV.C.5.c of this solicitation). If the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.C and V.D of this solicitation.

These awards may involve the collection of “Geospatial Information,” which includes information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the Earth or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information.  This information may be derived from, among other things, a Geographic Positioning System (GPS), remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

It is anticipated that a total of approximately $4 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 4 regular and 3 early career awards under this RFA.  Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $760,000 for regular awards and $320,000 for early career awards, including direct and indirect costs, will not be considered.  The total project period requested in an application submitted for this RFA may not exceed 3 years. 

The EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards, or make fewer awards than anticipated, under this RFA.  The EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made.  Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund proposals/applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a proposal/application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal/application, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

EPA intends to award only grants under this announcement.

Under a grant, EPA scientists and engineers are not permitted to be substantially involved in the execution of the research.  However, EPA encourages interaction between its own laboratory scientists and grant Principal Investigators after the award of an EPA grant for the sole purpose of exchanging information in research areas of common interest that may add value to their respective research activities.  This interaction must be incidental to achieving the goals of the research under a grant.  Interaction that is “incidental” does not involve resource commitments.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants
Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes public nonprofit institutions of higher education and hospitals) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes private nonprofit 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.  Profit-making firms are not eligible to receive assistance agreements from the EPA under this program.

Eligible nonprofit organizations include any organizations that:
1) Are operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; 2) Are not organized primarily for profit; and 3) Use its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible to apply.

Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible to apply.

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.  The institution, organization, or governance receiving the award 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.  However, salaries for permanent FFRDC employees may not be provided through this mechanism.

Federal Agencies may not apply.  Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on an assistance agreement, and may not receive salaries or augment their Agency’s appropriations in other ways through awards made under this program.

The applicant institution may enter into an agreement with a Federal Agency to purchase or utilize unique supplies or services unavailable in the private sector to the extent authorized by law.  Examples are purchase of satellite data, chemical reference standards, analyses, or use of instrumentation or other facilities not available elsewhere.  A written justification for federal involvement must be included in the application.  In addition, an appropriate form of assurance that documents the commitment, such as a letter of intent from the Federal Agency involved, should be included.

The early career awards will support research performed by PIs with outstanding promise at the Assistant Professor or equivalent level. Principal investigators from applicant institutions applying for the early career portion of the RFA must meet the following additional eligibility requirements:

1. Hold a doctoral degree in a field related to the research being solicited by the closing date of the RFA;
2. Be untenured at the closing date of the RFA;
3. By the award date, be employed in a tenure-track position (or tenure-track-equivalent position) as an assistant professor (or equivalent title) at an institution in the U.S., its territories, or possessions. Note: For a position to be considered a tenure-track-equivalent position, it must meet all of the following requirements: (1) the employing department or organization does not offer tenure; (2) the appointment is a continuing appointment; (3) the appointment has substantial educational responsibilities; and (4) the proposed project relates to the employee's career goals and job responsibilities as well as to the goals of the department/organization.

Senior researchers may collaborate in a supporting role for early career awards. Early career applications should not propose significant resources for senior researchers and may not list senior researchers as co-PIs.  The application must include an early career verification (see “Early Career Verification” in Section IV.C.5.d).

Potential applicants who are uncertain of their eligibility should contact Ron Josephson (josephson.ron@epa.gov) in NCER, phone: 202-564-7823.

B. Cost sharing
Institutional cost-sharing is not required.

C. Other
Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or they will be rejected.  In addition, where a page limitation is expressed in Section IV with respect to parts of the application, pages in excess of the page limit will not be reviewed.  In addition, applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement (see Section IV.F. “Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements” for further information) to ensure that their application is timely submitted. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their application with the Electronic Submissions Contact shown in this solicitation as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

Also, applications exceeding the funding limits or project period term described herein will be rejected without review.  Further, applications that fail to demonstrate a public purpose of support or stimulation (e.g., by proposing research which primarily benefits a Federal program or provides a service for a Federal agency) will not be funded. 

Applications deemed ineligible for funding consideration will be notified within fifteen calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Additional provisions that apply to this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, including but not limited to those related to confidential business information, contracts and subawards under grants, and proposal assistance and communications, can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses

These, and the other provisions that can be found at the website link, are important, and applicants must review them when preparing applications for this solicitation.   If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please communicate with the EPA contact listed in this solicitation to obtain the provisions.

Formal instructions for submission through Grants.gov are in Section F.

A. Grants.gov Submittal Requirements and Limited Exception Procedures
Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the Grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If an applicant does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to