[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23182-23186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9616]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2004-019; FRL-7352-5]


OPP Pesticide Research and Training Program; Notice of Funds 
Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is soliciting 
proposals from colleges, universities, and other institutions to train 
graduate and undergraduate students from culturally diverse backgrounds 
in the Agency's regulatory support and laboratory research activities. 
These activities are undertaken to provide safer, reduced risk 
pesticides and to protect public health and the environment. The 
laboratory research and regulatory support projects with OPP 
laboratories (located in Ft. Meade, MD) and divisions will be funded 
separately over a 5-year period. The total funding available for award 
for laboratory research projects involving graduate students in fiscal 
year (FY) 2004 is expected to be approximately $90,000. The total 
funding for regulatory support projects involving graduate and 
undergraduate students in FY 2004 will range from $60,000 to $100,000. 
At the conclusion of the first 1-year period of performance on each 
project, incremental funding may be available for each year, allowing 
the project to continue for up to 5 periods of performance 
(approximately 5 years), depending on applicant need and the Agency 
budget in outlying years. This program will support laboratory research 
training in areas such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarray 
analysis of toxicogenomic effects of pesticides on cell response and 
regulatory support training in areas such as the development of 
assessments of pesticide use patterns, as provided for in section 20 of 
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

DATES: Applications must be received by EPA on or beforeMay 28, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Applications may be submitted by mail, fax, or 
electronically. Please follow the detailed instructions provided in 
Unit IV.H.1. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Doucoure, Biological and 
Economic Analysis Division (7503C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8133; fax 
number: (703) 308-8091; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Overview Information

    The following listing provides certain key information concerning 
the funding opportunity.
     Federal agency name: Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA).
     Funding opportunity title: OPP Pesticide 
Research and Training Program.
     Announcement type: The initial announcement of a 
funding opportunity.
     Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
number: Training and Fellowships for the Environmental Protection 
Agency (Training and Fellowship Grants) No. 66.607. Research Grants No. 
66.500, or under Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training 
Demonstrations and Educational Outreach No. 66.716
     Dates: Applications must be received by EPA on 
or beforeMay 28, 2004.

[[Page 23183]]

II. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action may be of particular interest to colleges, 
universities, and other institutions who have experience and expertise 
in science and technology programs, specifically in chemical 
engineering, biology, biochemistry, DNA microarray, entomology, 
agronomy, toxicology, ecology, and plant/weed science. Since other 
entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to 
describe all the specific entities that may be interested in this 
action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this 
action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under docket identification (ID) numberOPP-2004-019. The 
official public docket is the collection of materials that is available 
for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity 
Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1921 Jefferson Davis 
Hwy., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket 
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the``Federal Register'' 
listings athttp://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the 
public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and 
comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets athttp://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to access the index listing of the contents of the 
official public docket, and to access those documents in the public 
docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket 
materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of 
the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility 
identified in the Unit II.B.1. Once in the system, select ``search,'' 
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

III. Introduction

    OPP has provided funding for several grants designed to train 
graduate and undergraduate students from culturally diverse backgrounds 
in the Agency's regulatory support and laboratory research activities. 
In 2002, OPP funded two grants. Through these grants, 10 students 
received training in various areas including assessment of use patterns 
to help formulate regulatory decisions on pesticides in EPA's 
Biological and Economic Analysis Division (BEAD) and in the analysis of 
residues in peach samples treated with four different insecticides at 
the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at Ft. Meade, MD. In 2003, OPP 
funded a grant to provide DNA microarray technology training at the Ft. 
Meade laboratory to determine the effects of various pesticides on 
bacterial cell response. Through this grant, a Ph.D. candidate and a 
postdoctoral student gained experience in working with and developing 
this innovative new method that will provide useful data for healthcare 
facilities, patients, and scientists.
    To continue this multifaceted training program, OPP is soliciting 
proposals from colleges, universities, and other institutions with 
reputable science and engineering programs to train students in either 
laboratory research or regulatory support activities. Approximately 
$90,000 is available to fund grants for laboratory research with 
universities that have accredited chemical engineering, molecular 
biology, biochemistry, and DNA microarray programs; another $60,000 to 
$100,000 is available to fund regulatory support grants with 
educational institutions that have accredited entomology, agronomy, 
toxicology, ecology, biology, and plant/weed science programs.

 IV. Program Description

 A. Purpose and Scope

    This program was initiated to train graduate and undergraduate 
students from culturally diverse backgrounds in OPP's regulatory 
support and laboratory research activities undertaken to provide safer, 
reduced risk pesticides and protect public health and the environment. 
Students are afforded an opportunity to get involved in a broad range 
of projects that provide hands on OPP training in laboratory research 
employing the latest technology and in the generation of biological and 
economic data to support the formulation of regulatory decisions on 
pesticides. Students receive environmental training and are encouraged 
to pursue public service careers in various environmentally related 
fields. These programs are included in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under numbers 66.607, 66.500, and 66.716 at http://www.cfda.gov/public/whole.pdf.

 B. Goal and Objectives

    Through the proposals sought under this OPP Pesticide Research and 
Training Program, EPA intends to work with colleges, universities, and 
other institutions with reputable science and engineering programs, 
specifically in chemical engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, 
DNA microarray, entomology, agronomy, toxicology, ecology, biology, and 
plant/weed science, to develop an effective environmental training 
program. Highly motivated and academically qualified graduate and 
undergraduate students, from culturally diverse backgrounds, will 
participate in projects designed to educate them about the scientific 
and economic data needed to support the formulation of regulatory 
decisions on pesticides. For example, students assigned to BEAD's 
branches will be trained in the development of assessments of pesticide 
use patterns, and students assigned to BEAD's laboratories will learn 
how to perform research using newly developing technology and methods 
to generate supporting data. Other projects may include training in the 
development of human health and ecological risk assessments, pesticide 
registration/reregistration support, or information technology support 
activities.

C. Eligibility

    1. Applicants. Grant funds are available to accredited 4-year 
colleges, universities, and other institutions with reputable science 
and engineering programs specifically in chemical engineering, biology, 
biochemistry, DNA microarray, entomology, agronomy, toxicology, 
ecology, and plant/weed science.
    To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet all of the 
following criteria. Failure to meet the following criteria will result 
in the automatic disqualification for consideration of the proposal for 
funding:
     Be an applicant who is eligible to receive 
funding under this announcement.
     The proposal must address all of the high 
priority areas for consideration.
     The proposal must meet all format and content 
requirements contained in this notice.
     The proposal must comply with the directions for 
submittal contained in this notice.
    There are no cost sharing requirements for this project.
    2. Qualifications. Applicants will be evaluated on the following 
criteria:
     Experience and expertise in science and 
engineering programs,

[[Page 23184]]

specifically in chemical engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, 
DNA microarray, entomology, agronomy, toxicology, ecology, biology, and 
plant/weed science.
     Commitment by the college, university, or other 
institution to provide highly motivated and academically qualified 
graduate and undergraduate students from culturally diverse backgrounds 
to participate in this training program; use of the institution's 
biotechnology laboratories, graphics, slides, etc. for preparation of 
publications and presenting seminars, which will result from these 
projects.
     The college, university, or other institution 
has historically attracted a substantial number of highly qualified 
students from culturally diverse backgrounds.
     The college, university, or other institution 
has qualified faculty needed to provide detailed instructions in the 
type of courses that will prepare students for the type of training and 
easy comprehension expected in the training program.

D. Authority

    EPA expects to enter into cooperative agreements under the 
authority provided in FIFRA section 20 which authorizes the Agency to 
issue grants or cooperative agreements for research, public education, 
training, monitoring, demonstration, and studies. Regulations governing 
these cooperative agreements are found at 40 CFR part 30 for 
institutions of higher education, colleges and universities, and non-
profit organizations; and 40 CFR part 31 for states and local 
governments. In addition, the provisions in 40 CFR part 32, governing 
government wide debarment and suspension; and the provisions in 40 CFR 
part 40, regarding restrictions on lobbying apply. All costs incurred 
under this program must be allowable under the applicable OMB Cost 
Circulars: A-87 (states and local governments), A-122 (nonprofit 
organizations), or A-21 (universities). Copies of these circulars can 
be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/. In accordance 
with EPA policy and the OMB circulars, as appropriate, any recipient of 
funding must agree not to use assistance funds for lobbying, fund-
raising, or political activities (e.g., lobbying members of Congress or 
lobbying for other Federal grants, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts). See 40 CFR part 40.

E. Activities to be Funded

    The grant will fund training of graduate and undergraduate students 
from culturally diverse backgrounds in OPP regulatory support and 
laboratory research projects. Graduate students will be trained in 
laboratory research using newly developing technology and methods. They 
will receive DNA microarray analysis training used by OPP to determine 
the effects of pesticides on cell response. Graduate and undergraduate 
students will be trained in projects such as the development of 
assessments on pesticide use patterns, human health, and ecological 
risk that are used to generate data to provide support in formulating 
regulatory decisions on pesticides. Other possible projects include 
registration and reregistration support or information technology 
support activities.

F. Award and Distribution of Funds

    1. Available funding. The funding for the selected award projects 
are in the form of cooperative agreements awarded under FIFRA section 
20. The total funding available for award in FY 2004 is expected to be 
approximately $90,000. The total funding available for award for 
regulatory support projects will range from $60,000 to $100,000. At the 
conclusion of the first 1-year period of performance on each project, 
incremental funding of up to $200,000 may be made available for 
distribution to all training projects each year allowing the project to 
continue for a total of 5 periods of performance (approximately 5 
years) and totaling up to $990,000 for the 5-year period, depending on 
applicant need and the Agency budget in outlying years.
    2. Evaluation process and criteria. Applicants will be screened to 
ensure that they meet all eligibility criteria and will be disqualified 
if they do not meet all eligibility criteria. All laboratory research 
and regulatory support proposals will be reviewed, evaluated, and 
ranked by a selected panel of EPA reviewers based on the following 
evaluation criteria and weights:
Laboratory Research Proposals (100 points)
     Project proposals must meet minimum requirements 
for experience and expertise in science and engineering programs, 
specifically in DNA microarray technology, biochemical engineering, 
molecular biology, andbiochemistry (Weighting: 40 points)
     Qualification and experience of the applicant in 
providing highly motivated and academically qualified graduate students 
to participate in training programs. This project will be carried out 
at EPA's Fort Meade, Maryland Laboratory, and students are expected to 
be able to conduct literature searches and carry out all aspects of 
laboratory research projects, prepare publications, and present 
seminars, which will result from projects. (Weighting: 40 points)
     Experience of the applicant in attracting a 
substantial number of highly qualified students from culturally diverse 
backgrounds. (Weighting: 10 points)
     Provisions for a quantitative or qualitative 
evaluation of the project success at achieving stated goals. 
(Weighting: 10 points)
Regulatory Support Proposals (100 points)
     Regulatory support proposals must meet minimum 
requirements for experience and expertise in science programs, 
specifically in entomology, agronomy, toxicology, ecology, biology, and 
plant/weed science (Weighting: 40 points)
     Qualification and experience of the applicant in 
providing highly motivated and academically qualified graduate and 
undergraduate students to participate in training programs that 
included the use of the university's or other entities' facilities for 
preparation of publications and presenting seminars, which will result 
from projects. (Weighting: 25 points)
     Experience of the applicant in attracting a 
substantial number of highly qualified students from culturally diverse 
backgrounds. (Weighting: 25 points)
     Provisions for a quantitative or qualitative 
evaluation of the project success at achieving stated goals. 
(Weighting: 10 points)
    3. Selection official. The funding decision will be made from the 
group of top rated proposals by the Division Director of the Biological 
and Economic Analysis Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. The 
Agency reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards.
    4. Dispute resolution process. The procedures for dispute 
resolution at 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 31.70 apply.

G. Application Requirements

    1. Content requirements. Proposals must be typewritten, double-
spaced in 12 point or larger print using 8.5 x 11 inch paper with 
minimum 1 inch horizontal and vertical margins. Pages must be numbered 
in order starting with the cover page and continuing through the 
appendices. One original and one electronic copy (e-mail or disk) is 
required.
    All proposals must include:
     Completed Standard Form SF 424*, Application for 
Federal Assistance. Please include organization fax number and e-mail 
address. The

[[Page 23185]]

application forms are available on line athttp://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm.
     Completed Section B--Budget Categories, on page 
1 of Standard Form SF 424A* (see allowable costs discussion below). 
Blank forms may be located athttp://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm.
     Detailed itemization of the amounts budgeted by 
individual Object Class Categories (see allowable costs discussion 
below). Statement regarding whether this proposal is a continuation of 
a previously funded project. If so, please provide the assistance 
number and status of the current grant/cooperative agreement.
     Executive Summary. The Executive Summary shall 
be a stand alone document, not to exceed one page, containing the 
specifics of what is proposed and what you expect to accomplish 
regarding measuring or movement toward achieving project goals. This 
summary should identify the measurable results you expect including 
general and specific public service benefits.
     Table of contents. A one page table listing the 
different parts of your proposal and the page number on which each part 
begins.
     Proposal narrative. Includes Parts I-V as 
identified below (not to exceed 10 pages).
     Part I--Project title. Self explanatory.
     Part II--Objectives. A numbered list (1, 2, 
etc.) of concisely written project objectives, in most cases, each 
objective can be stated in a single sentence.
     Part III--Justification. For each objective 
listed in Part II, discuss the potential outcome in terms of either 
regulatory support or laboratory research training to provide safer, 
reduced risk pesticides and protect public health and the environment.
     Part IV--Approach and methods. Describe in 
detail how the program will be carried out. Describe how the system or 
approach will support the program goals.
     Part V--Impact assessment. Please state how you 
will evaluate the success of the program in terms of measurable 
results. How and with what measures will humans be better protected as 
a result of the program.
    2. Appendices. These appendices must be included in the cooperative 
agreement proposal. Additional appendices are not permitted.
     Timetable. A timetable that includes what will 
be accomplished under each of the objectives during the project and 
when completion of each objective is anticipated.
     Major participants. List all affiliates or other 
organizations, educators, trainers, and others having a major role in 
the proposal. Provide name, organizational affiliation, or occupation 
and a description of the role each will play in the project. A brief 
resume (not to exceed two pages) should be submitted for each major 
project manager, educator, support staff, or other major participant.
    3. Allowable costs. EPA grant funds may only be used for the 
purposes set forth in the cooperative agreement, and must be consistent 
with the statutory authority for the award. Cooperative agreement funds 
may not be used for matching funds for other Federal grants, lobbying, 
or intervention in Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In 
addition, Federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal government 
or any other governmental entity. All costs identified in the budget 
must conform to applicable Federal Cost Principles contained in OMB 
Circular A-87; A-122; and A-21, as appropriate.
    4. Federal requirements for recipients. An applicant whose proposal 
is selected for Federal funding must complete additional forms prior to 
award (see 40 CFR 30.12 and 31.10), and will be required to certify 
that they have not been debarred or suspended from participation in 
Federal assistance awards in accordance with 40 CFR part 32. In 
addition, Applicants must comply with the Intergovernmental Review 
Process. Further information regarding this requirement will be 
provided if your proposal is selected for funding.

 H. Application Procedures

    1. Submission instructions. You may submit an application through 
the mail, by fax, or electronically. Regardless of submission method, 
all applications must be received by EPA on or beforeMay 28, 2004.
    As indicated above, each application must include the original 
paper copy of the submission, along with one electronic copy. The 
electronic copy of your application package, whether submitted 
separately by e-mail or on a disk, please ensure that the electronic 
copy is consolidated into a single file, and that you use Word Perfect 
WP8/ 9 for Windows, or Adobe pdf 4/5. If mailing a disk, please use a 
3.5 disk that is labeled as a proposal for the Office of Pesticide 
Programs Pesticide Research and Training Program, and include your 
pertinent information. Please check your electronic submissions to 
ensure that it does not contain any computer viruses.
    Submit your application using one of the following methods:
    By mail to: Cynthia Doucoure, Biological and Economic Analysis 
Division (7503C), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    By fax to: Cynthia Doucoure at fax number: (703) 308-8091.
    By e-mail to: [email protected].
    2. Notification process. The Biological and Economic Analysis 
Division in OPP will mail an acknowledgment to applicants upon receipt 
of the application. Once all of the applications have been reviewed, 
evaluated, and ranked, applicants will be notified of the outcome of 
the competition. A listing of the successful proposal will be posted on 
thehttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ website at the conclusion of the 
competition. The website may also contain additional information about 
this announcement including information concerning deadline extensions 
or other modifications.

 I. Recipient Reporting Requirements

    The successful recipient will be required to submit annual reports, 
and to submit annual financial reports. The specific information 
contained within the report will include at a minimum, a comparison of 
actual accomplishments to the objectives established for the period. 
The Biological and Economic Analysis Division may request additional 
information relative to the scope of work in the cooperative agreement 
and which may be useful for Agency reporting under the Government 
Performance and Results Act.

 V. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    Grant solicitations such as this are considered rules for the 
purpose of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). 
The CRA generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the 
agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes 
a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the 
Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report 
containing this grant solicitation and other required information to 
the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller 
General of the United States prior to its publication in the Federal 
Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

[[Page 23186]]

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Grants, Pesticides, Training.


    Dated: April 20, 2004.
Margaret Schneider,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and 
Toxic Substances.

[FR Doc. 04-9616 Filed 4-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S