OARS funding Environmental Sustainability

In 2020, the Foundation will award up to six full-time research fellowships to advanced graduate students conducting research on the Hudson River system. Read below for more information about application instructions. A fellowship awarded to a doctoral student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student's graduate institution, in an amount of up to $19,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000. A fellowship awarded to a master's level student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student's graduate institution, of up to $15,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET), seeks proposals that elucidate mechanisms of, and develop strategies to, direct the differentiation of undifferentiated cells into mature, functional cells or organoids. Projects responsive to this solicitation must aim to establish a robust and reproducible set of differentiation design rules, predictive models, real-time sensing, control, and quality assurance methods, and integrate them into a workable differentiation strategy. They must develop a fundamental understanding of how cells develop, including mechanisms, molecular machinery, dynamics, and cell-cell interactions, and use this understanding to manipulate cells purposefully. Investigators can choose any undifferentiated cell type, from any animal species, as a starting point and choose any appropriate functional product (cell, organoid, etc.) with real-world relevance.This solicitation parallels NSF's investment inUnderstanding the Rules of Life (URoL): Predicting Phenotype, NSF's Big Idea focused on predicting the set of observable characteristics (phenotype) of an organism based on its genetic makeup and the nature of its environment and applies it to understanding and accomplishing the intentional and guided differentiation of an undifferentiated cell into cells, organoids or tissues with predetermined activities and functions.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET), seeks proposals that elucidate mechanisms of, and develop strategies to, direct the differentiation of undifferentiated cells into mature, functional cells or organoids. Projects responsive to this solicitation must aim to establish a robust and reproducible set of differentiation design rules, predictive models, real-time sensing, control, and quality assurance methods, and integrate them into a workable differentiation strategy. They must develop a fundamental understanding of how cells develop, including mechanisms, molecular machinery, dynamics, and cell-cell interactions, and use this understanding to manipulate cells purposefully. Investigators can choose any undifferentiated cell type, from any animal species, as a starting point and choose any appropriate functional product (cell, organoid, etc.) with real-world relevance. This solicitation parallels NSF's investment in Understanding the Rules of Life (URoL): Predicting Phenotype, NSF's Big Idea focused on predicting the set of observable characteristics (phenotype) of an organism based on its genetic makeup and the nature of its environment and applies it to understanding and accomplishing the intentional and guided differentiation of an undifferentiated cell into cells, organoids or tissues with predetermined activities and functions.

Research and development under this Funding Opportunity Announcement is intended to increase the beneficial use and advance the management of Coal Combustion Residuals, thereby reducing the volume of Coal Combustion Residuals needed to be disposed of in impoundments while protecting the environment and the health and safety of the public.

The EPA Exchange Network Grant Program is soliciting project applications using the Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) to: Facilitate sharing of environmental data, especially through shared and reusable services. Streamline data collection and exchanges to improve its timeliness for decision making. Increase the quality and access to environmental data through discovery, publishing, outbound and analytical services so it is more useful to environmental managers. Develop foundational EN shared services to reduce burden and avoid costs for co-regulators and the regulated community. Expand and improve participation in the EN by strengthening the requisite information management and technology capabilities for interested parties to fully participate in the EN. Section I-E of the funding opportunity announcement summarizes the priorities and associated activities eligible for funding through the FY 2020 EN Grant Program competitive grant process.

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks opportunities to co-create, co-design, co-invest, and collaborate in the research, development, piloting, and scaling of innovative interventions for effectively mitigating air, water, and soil pollution, including ocean plastic pollution, electronic and other forms of solid waste in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites organizations, companies, academic and research institutions, and investors to propose innovative approaches for preventing and mitigating pollution in countries to promote healthier populations, cleaner environments, and inclusive, sustainable economic growth. USAID's Office of Energy and Infrastructure (E&I) within the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3/DDI), in cooperation with regional and Global Health Bureaus and selected Missions, developed this BAA for Pollution Prevention & Mitigation to improve the Agency's ability to assist partner countries in solving complex pollution problems that threaten sustainable development. This BAA seeks to engage with a wide range of actors within the global pollution sector to provide innovative interventions and technologies that further the U.S. Government's commitment to improving human health and the environment. Specific opportunities to do so will be provided through Addenda issued under this BAA.

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks opportunities to co-create, co-design, and co-invest in the research, development, piloting, and scaling of innovative and cost-effective interventions to support the advancement of self-reliant energy sectors in developing countries. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites organizations, companies, government agencies, academic and research institutions, and investors1 to propose innovative approaches to address the diverse set of challenges faced by countries that are striving to achieve universal access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services. USAID's Office of Energy and Infrastructure (E+I) within the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3), developed this BAA for Energy Sector Self-Reliance to expand the Agency's ability to engage with a wide range of implementing partners and service providers within the global energy sector, and develop new means to rapidly deliver tailored, best-in-class assistance and technologies to help strengthen national and regional energy systems. The opportunity to do so will be provided through subsequent Addenda issued under this BAA.

The Department of Energy's Coal FIRST (Flexible, Innovative, Resilient, Small, Transformative) initiative will develop the coal plant of the future needed to provide secure, stable, and reliable power. Coal FIRST plants will be capable of flexible operation to meet the needs of the grid; use innovative and cutting-edge components that improve efficiency and reduce emissions; provide resilient power to Americans; be small compared to today's conventional utility-scale coal power plants; and transform how coal power plant technologies are designed and manufactured. This Funding Opportunity Announcement is focused on the development of critical components that will support potential designs for coal-based power plants of the future. While it is anticipated that future coal plants will use existing technology to the extent practical, certain critical plant components will need to be upgraded while others will need to be developed to enable coal-fired power

The purpose of the Aquaculture Research program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. and generate new science-based information and innovation to address industry constraints. Over the long term, results of projects supported by this program may help improve the profitability of the U.S. aquaculture industry, reduce the U.S. trade deficit, increase domestic food security, provide markets for U.S.-produced grain products, increase domestic aquaculture business investment opportunities, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America. The Aquaculture Research program will fund projects that directly address major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture industry and focus on one or more of the following program priorities: (1) genetics of commercial aquaculture species; (2) critical disease issues impacting aquaculture species; (3) design of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture production systems; and (4) economic research for increasing aquaculture profitability.

The purpose of this Request for Information RFI is to seek information from researchers from national labs, academia or other stakeholders that can be used as input to a DOE Fossil Energy Research and Development program that may culminate in a Request for Proposals or Funding Opportunity Announcement of research and development for coal biomass cofiring and the subsequent impact on carbon capture systems.

Agency Overview: The Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E), an organization within the Department of Energy (DOE), is chartered by Congress in the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69), as amended by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-358) to: "(A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that result in- (i) reductions of imports of energy from foreign sources; (ii) reductions of energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; and (iii) improvement in the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; and

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is pleased to announce a call for Transregional Planning Grants, an initiative of the Council's Transregional Collaboratory on the Indian Ocean. We invite proposals for 12-month planning grants to develop collaborative research projects that deepen understanding of the mutual shaping of social and environmental change in the Indian Ocean region.

NSF invites proposals to establish a Navigating the New Arctic Community Office (NNA-CO). Launched in 2016, NNA has been building a growing portfolio of research and planning grants at the intersection of the built, social, and natural environments to improve understanding of Arctic change and its local and global effects. Each NNA-funded project is responsible for its own performance, including its core research and broader impacts. However, an NNA community office is required to coordinate the activities of funded NNA projects; engage new PIs; and promote research, education, and outreach activities. The NNA-CO will also provide centralized representation of ongoing NNA activities to the broader scientific community and the public. The lead PI of the successful NNA-CO proposal will serve as the Office Director and will work with the research community to develop and implement appropriate communication networks and support for investigators, stakeholders, and research teams pursuing NNA research. NNA research is inherently convergent, seeking new knowledge at the intersection of the natural, built, and social environments. NNA research also inherently involves diverse stakeholders, from local to international. The NNA-CO will need to demonstrate the ability to work with these types of research teams and audiences.

The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs' (OES) Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues at the U.S. Department of State (DOS), announces the Notice of Funding Opportunity ("NOFO") for activities under the "Building Air Quality Management Capacity in Central Asia" project. The agreement awarded will use U.S. Fiscal Year 2019 Economic Support Funds, subject to Congressional approval and availability of funds. The "Building Air Quality Management Capacity in Central Asia" project intends to strengthen regulatory and monitoring capacity of government actors and expand awareness of air quality issues among decision makers and the general public in at least one Central Asian country. More specifically, the project would target key host government entities to develop and enhance air quality monitoring capacity with low cost sensors, educational materials on AQI PM2.5 and PM10, formal expert workshops, and through the services of a professional monitoring and evaluation expert to develop and design a monitoring and evaluation plan to be used by key agencies.

Through this Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI), USAID/Mexico seeks partners to research, develop, test and evaluate innovative approaches to increase access to finance and catalyze investments to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in Mexico by improving land management practices and reducing the drivers of land-use change. þffBlended finance is the strategic use of development funds, such as those from government aid and philanthropic sources, to mobilize private capital for social and environment results, such as improving infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, and more. Blended finance strategies are designed to encourage members of the private sector, such as companies and investors, to invest in activities and projects that can achieve both financial returns and positive social and environmental outcomes. Through this Addendum to the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA-MEX-PCM-2020), USAID/Mexico seeks partners to research, develop, test and evaluate innovative approaches to increase access to finance and catalyze investments to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in Mexico by improving land management practices and reducing the drivers of land-use change, especially in the States of Campeche, Chiapas, Jalisco, Oaxaca, and Quintana Roo.

The Microsoft Foundation is inviting applications for its Dissertation Grants program. The program supports PhD students at North American universities who are underrepresented in the field of computing and pursuing research aligned to the research areas carried out by Microsoft Research. Through the program, recipients will receive funding of up to $25,000 for the 2020-21 academic year as well as an invitation to the PhD Summit, a two-day workshop in the fall held at one of Microsoft Research's labs where fellows will meet with Microsoft researchers and other top students to share their research. Fellows must be aligned in research areas as defined by Microsoft Research, which include artificial intelligence; audio and acoustics; computer vision; graphics and multimedia; human-computer interaction; human language technologies; search and information retrieval; data platforms and analytics; hardware and devices; programming languages and software engineering; security, privacy, and cryptography; systems and networking; algorithms; mathematics; ecology and environment; economics; medical, health, and genomics; social sciences; and technology for emerging markets.

The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is offering a cooperative agreement to complete studies on the movements of low trophic level feeding elasmobranchs, such as Manta birostis.The purpose of this study is to understand movements, site fidelity and behavioral ecology of understudied highly migratory species, such as M. birostris, and the associated risk of interaction with BOEM permitted activities.Innovative methods will be used including, but not limited to: autonomous sensor platforms and improved animal bourne telemetry techniques which can relay data from neighboring animals, and/or which leverage the target species as mobile oceanographic platforms.Under the Use of Cooperative Agreements authority (43 U.S.C. §1457b), to enter into cooperative agreements with a state or political subdivision (including any agency thereof), or any not-for-profit organization.The general goals of this project is to understand movement drivers and site residency and fidelity of M. birostis, as it relates to sand shoals, particularly in the Canaveral Shoals, Florida Atlantic Coast region.Specifically, the objectives of this study are to understand the movement ecology of M. birostis in the US OCS and the impact fine scale behavior has on the risk of interaction with marine mineral activities, especially preventative trawling.

Support the Regional Framework Agreements (RFA) on Air Pollution in Africa with a focus on East Africa. These RFA contained agreements on actionable targets to address air pollution in the following economic sectors: transport, industry and mining, energy, waste, vegetation fires, indoor air pollution, and urban planning and management.

Conduct inventories, assessments and evaluations of soil and vegetation conditions as well as necessary restoration projects to promote land health and productivity and create resilient landscapes. Appropriate management of rangeland and soil resources support actions and authorizations that include, but are not limited to, such things as energy development, endangered and special status species recovery, grazing of domestic livestock, recreation, forest management, hazardous fuels reduction, and post fire rehabilitation.

To strengthen local capacity to monitor air quality and expand awareness of air quality issues among decision makers and the general public in at least two Southeast Asian countries. The project will target key host government entities, universities, and NGOs to develop and enhance air quality monitoring capacity with low or medium cost sensors, educational materials on AQI PM2.5 and or PM10, formal expert workshops, and through the services of a professional monitoring and evaluation expert to develop and design a monitoring and evaluation plan to be used by key agencies.