OARS funding Environmental Sustainability

This FOA is soliciting applications to develop turbine based technology applicable to fossil fuels including coal derived synthesis gas, coal derived hydrogen and natural gas. The turbine based machinery and turbine based subsystems developed through this FOA will have direct application to coal gasification processes where coal derived synthesis gas or hydrogen are produced. Additionally, because the modifications required for a turbine based heat engine to accept coal syngas or natural gas are small and manageable, and the market for natural gas applications is robust, natural gas will be considered the developmental fuel in this FOA. This approach to developmental fuel use will facilitate technology readiness level maturation at an accelerated pace leading to quicker commercial deployment and will consequently result in technology that is ready sooner for coal derived synthesis gas or hydrogen. Applications are sought in three areas of interest that include 1. Advanced Combustion Turbines for Combined Cycle Applications, 2. Development of an Oxy-fuel Combustion Turbine with CO2 Dilution for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Based Power Cycles, and 3. Modular Turbine-based Hybrid Heat Engines for Fossil Energy Applications.

Populations of spring/summer Chinook salmon (hereafter Chinook salmon) within the Snake River Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (NMFS 1992). Within the Upper Salmon River major population group of the Snake River ESU, extensive time and resources have been spent towards the monitoring and restoration of depleted Chinook salmon populations. However, a significant knowledge gap still exists regarding the winter movement, distribution, and habitat use of juvenile Chinook salmon in upper Salmon River populations. Research is currently being conducted to better understand how various habitat characteristics determine the juvenile rearing capacity (summer and winter), and adult spawner capacity of watersheds containing depressed salmon populations. Results from the research will ultimately be used to evaluate how various habitat restoration actions might differentially improve the capacity of habitat, thus providing the potential to improve population productivity. This research aims to identify whether winter rearing capacity is, in fact, a factor limiting the productivity of these populations. However, it is clear, that a large portion of juveniles from these populations currently emigrate downstream of their natal areas to maximize winter survival and increase adult recruitment. Thus, an understanding of the overwinter movement and distribution of these populations during the winter rearing period is essential to prioritize restoration actions.

The Fox River/Green Bay Natural Resource Trustees restore natural resources injured by the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Lower Fox River and Green Bay, WI. The Trustees allocate funding, provided by settlement dollars from responsible parties, to restoration projects that fulfill the natural resource objectives of the 2003 Joint Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for The Lower Fox River and Green Bay Area and the 2016 Restoration Plan Update under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. The Lower Fox River/Green Bay NRDA is not a conventional grants program, in that it does not solicit for projects through a formal request for proposals on Grants.gov; instead project idea forms are developed strategically in coordination with the Trustee Council. Following the review process, if a project is selected it will be issued through the Service as a single source grant agreement without competition under justification 505DM 2.14.B.4. Applicants seeking funding under this program should review the requirements and selection criteria and contact the restoration coordinator to discuss their project concept prior to submitting an application for funding.

The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program within the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hereby announces its interest in receiving research applications for Environmental System Science (ESS). As part of the ESS program, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Science activity seeks to improve the understanding and representation of terrestrial ecosystems in ways that advance Earth system model parameterizations and capabilities. This FOA will consider applications that utilize and couple measurements, experiments, modeling and/or synthesis of terrestrial ecosystem across a continuum from the subsurface to the top of the vegetated canopy and from molecular to global scales. ESS hereby announces its interest in grant applications for improved quantitative and predictive understanding of critical terrestrial ecosystems processes and feedbacks preferentially within high latitude (i.e., Arctic and Boreal) and coastal ecosystems in the following areas: Interactions between above and below-ground processes and traits, impacts of disturbances on ecosystems, and coupled biogeochemical and energy fluxes at the terrestrial-aquatic interface. Applicants are required to pose their research applications in the context of representing terrestrial ecosystem processes appropriate for improving the predictability of Earth system models.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that builds upon fundamental research to guide the output to facilitate the application of scientific discoveries closer to the development of technologies, products and processes that benefit society. In order to maintain, strengthen and grow a national innovation ecosystem, NSF has established the Innovation Corps - National Innovation Network Teams Program (I-Corps Teams). The NSF I-Corps Teams Program purpose is to identify NSF-funded researchers who will receive additional support in the form of entrepreneurial education, mentoring and funding to accelerate innovation that can attract subsequent third-party funding. The purpose of the NSF I-Corps Teams grant is to give the project team access to resources to help determine the readiness to transition technology developed by previously-funded or currently funded NSF projects. The outcomes of I-Corps Teams projects will be threefold: 1) a clear go /or no go decision regarding viability of products and services, 2) should the decision be to move the effort forward, a transition plan for those projects to move forward, and 3) a definition of a compelling technology demonstration for potential partners. WEBINAR: A webinar will be held monthly to answer questions about this program. Details will be posted on the I-Corps website (see http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/i-corps/program.jsp) as they become available.

The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking expressions of interest from organizations interested in providing storage, curation, and scientific management capabilities for ice cores collected in support of scientific research. The goal of this effort is to ensure secure, long-term, cost-effective archival of and access to ice cores for use by the scientific community. OPP currently supports the National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) (https://icecores.org/) housed at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado. NICL is supported with NSF funding through an Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey. Scientific management of the collection is provided through a subaward from the USGS to the University of New Hampshire.

Grants of $2,500 will be awarded to schools or nonprofit organizations for projects that use innovation, nature-based design, and/or technology to address environmental problems in their communities. Projects should integrate environmental education with opportunities for children to solve real-world problems by using science practices and technology to help care for the environment. Projects may replicate successful models or create new and innovative approaches.

NIST is soliciting applications from eligible colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories, nominating undergraduate students to participate in the SURF Program. The SURF Program will provide research opportunities for undergraduate students to work with NIST scientists and engineers, to expose the students to cutting-edge research and promote the pursuit of graduate degrees in science and engineering.

The Peace Development Fund is committed to supporting organizations and projects that recognize that peace will never be sustained unless it is based on justice and an appreciation of both the diversity and unity of the human family. Our Community Organizing grants are PDF's open door to any and all who wish to apply. Groups should have budgets less than $250,000 and be located in the U.S., Mexico or Haiti. Deadline for this cycle is January 12, 2018 at 5 p.m. PST. Grants are in the $2,500 to $10,000 range, and average $5,000. PDF is particularly interested in receiving applications from new or emerging organizations; efforts that have difficulty securing funds from other sources; community organizations working on climate change issues at the local policy level; groups that have a genesis in Occupy or Movement for Black Lives; collaborative peace initiatives led by women; or issues that are not yet recognized by progressive funders.

Applicants for the funds may be students or faculty. The project, program, or entrepreneurial idea must be created by, led by or benefit women. Grants are awarded in values of $2500 to $20,000. While we prefer the base grant to be $5,000, we are considering a limited number of $2500 which will be required to show high impact. These applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The grants must be submitted online via the link below and must include a 2-minute video. Applicants will be narrowed to a pool of 10-15 finalists by our M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Grants Committee. This committee will review applications; contact applicants if additional information is required, and present the finalists to the M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Steering Committee and Development Staff. Grant deadline for this year is Feb. 9, 2018. These finalists will perform in a fast-pitch style Hawk Tank event on April 11, 2018. Finalists will be offered fast-pitch training courtesy of the Farmers School of Business - school of Entrepreneurship, and will receive coaching and support. They will then pitch their idea in 5 minutes or less on April 11, 2018 at the event. Giving Circle members are the voters who will determine winners. Absentee voters will be given the option to vote online. Winners will be announced that night or the next day at the Symposium, to be determined.

Imaging systems are commonly used for conducting pavement evaluations. AASHTO Standard Practice for Collecting Images of Pavement Surfaces for Distress Detection (AASHTO Designation: PP 68) addresses the collection of images. However, there are no widely accepted methods for measuring the characteristics of pavement surface images (such as 2-dimensional optical images and 3-dimensional surface elevation images). There are also no widely accepted AASHTO standard practices for the calibration, certification, and verification of such images. Research is needed to identify the characteristics of surface images that are essential for pavement evaluation and develop methods for measuring these characteristics, and also to develop recommended standard practices for implementing these methods. This information will help highway agencies better evaluate image data collection systems and improve the process of pavement condition evaluation. The objectives of this research are to (1) identify and develop methods for measuring the characteristics of surface images used for pavement evaluation and analysis; and (2) develop recommended standard practices for the calibration, certification, and verification of such images, for consideration and adoption by AASHT

Cracking is a primary mode of distress in asphalt pavements. There are several modes of asphalt pavement cracking-thermal, reflection, fatigue, and top-down-and all are affected by numerous factors and their interactions. Recent research has evaluated a variety of laboratory tests and models to assess the cracking potential of asphalt mixtures and several are recommended for routine use. As asphalt mix designs become more complex with the use of asphalt modifiers, RAP and RAS, and warm mix asphalt technologies, highway engineers have recognized the need to establish and implement reliable performance tests that can be used to evaluate asphalt mixes and ultimately extend the life of asphalt pavements. NCHRP Project 09-57, "Experimental Design for Field Validation of Laboratory Tests to Assess Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures," developed experimental designs for the ruggedness testing and field validation of candidate laboratory tests to assess the resistance of asphalt mixtures to the four cracking types noted above. Candidate test methods were selected through (a) a critical review of relevant research and state mixture design practices and (b) a workshop with invited experts held in February 2015. The findings and conclusions of the project are summarized in NCHRP Research Results Digest 399: Field Validation of Laboratory Tests to Assess Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures: An Experimental Design; the contractor's final project report is available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP09-57_FR.pdf. This project is the first in a series proposed to accomplish the field validation designed in Project 09-57. Research is needed to conduct ruggedness testing of the candidate test methods in anticipation of future field validation experiments.

The fishery research program consists of a portfolio of funded basic (discovery, descriptive, or hypothesis generation) and applied (descriptive or hypothesis-driven) research organized by theme areas given below. Research theme areas are: Human Dimensions of Great Lakes Fishery Management -- Human dimensions-related issues play a central role in Great Lakes fisheries in terms of values and beliefs, management challenges and desired outcomes, economics, and governance. Fishery objectives often focus on a limited number of ecological and social management goals; this theme aims to expand our understanding of the human dimension of fishery management and help in having that dimension reflected in fishery management practices. Physical Processes and Fish Recruitment in Large Lakes -- TBD. Energy Dynamics of Great Lakes Food Webs -- To understand energy dynamics in Great Lakes food webs and the role of food web members in structuring resilient communities and ecosystems. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Commission) grants funds to academic institutions, government agencies, and private corporations through research contracts. A Principal Investigator (PI) for each research project must be designated; the PI must be a permanent employee of the institution receiving the funds who can be held accountable for ensuring the work is completed as outlined in the contract.

The mission of the NOAA Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI) research portfolio is to inform improvements in planning and preparedness in diverse socio-economic regions and sectors throughout the U.S. and abroad via the integration of knowledge and information about extreme weather and climate. Our research advances the nation's understanding of climate-related risks and vulnerabilities across sectors and regions - within and beyond our borders - and the development of tools to foster more informed decision making. These efforts support NOAA's vision to create and sustain enhanced resilience in ecosystems, communities, and economies. The overall objectives of the CSI portfolio are the following: 1. Support innovative, applicable, and transferable approaches for decision making, especially for risk characterization in the context of a variable and changing climate; 2. Establishment of a network of regionally scoped, long-term efforts to inform climate risk management and decision making; and 3. Promotion of the transfer of climate knowledge, tools, products, and services within NOAA, across the federal government, nationally, and internationally.

One of the conclusions of this review was that the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit compliance requirements increasingly include pavement deicer constituents in stormwater discharges. As controls on aircraft deicing runoff have become more widespread and effective, focus on the relative contribution and influence of pavement deicing runoff has increased. The objective of this research is to develop a method to estimate the contributions of airfield pavement deicers and anti-icers to overall oxygen demand (BOD and COD) in stormwater discharges. The method should: Account for sources, fate and transport of airfield pavement deicers and anti-icers; Identify and quantify airfield pavement deicers and anti-icers contained in discharged waters; Account for contributions from other non-airfield pavement-related deicers and anti-icing activities; Be adaptable to background water chemistry, various geographies, airport configurations, soils, topography, climate, weather, and hydrology; Be scalable to levels of resource availability (e.g., data, time, money, personnel, expertise); and Produce output expressed as a percentage of overall BOD and COD attributable to airfield pavement deicers and anti-icers with levels of confidence, and identify uncertainties.

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to: 1) obtain a better understanding of the factors contributing to disparities in vaccination coverage observed between adolescents living in rural areas compared to adolescents living in urban areas within the United States for all recommended vaccines, with a special emphasis on human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine; and 2) implement and evaluate an intervention(s) to improve vaccination coverage among adolescents living in rural areas.

This CRISP 2.0 solicitation responds both to national needs on the resilience of critical infrastructures and to increasing NSF emphasis on transdisciplinary research. In this context, the solicitation is one element of the NSF-wide Risk and Resilience activity, with the overarching goal of advancing knowledge in support of improvement of the nation's infrastructure resilience. The devastating effects of recent disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria have underscored that a great deal remains to be done. In addition, CRISP 2.0 is aligned with the NSF-wide frontier thinking on convergence, characterized as "deep integration of knowledge, techniques, and expertise from multiple fields to form new and expanded frameworks for addressing scientific and societal challenges and opportunities".

The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) is conducting a Re-entry to Active Research (RARE) program to reengage, retrain, and broaden participation within the academic workforce. The primary objective of the RARE program is to catalyze the advancement along the academic tenure-track of highly meritorious individuals who are returning from a hiatus from active research. By providing re-entry points to active academic research, the RARE program will reinvest in the nation's most highly trained scientists and engineers, while broadening participation and increasing diversity of experience. A RARE research proposal must describe potentially transformative research that falls within the scope of participating CBET programs.

Depending on appropriations, NOAA National Sea Grant College Program (NOAA Sea Grant) expects to have available a total of $7,000,000 to $11,500,000 across fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020 as part of the Sea Grant National Aquaculture Initiative (NAI). As part of the NAI, this competition is designed to foster the expansion of a sustainable U.S. ocean, coastal and Great Lakes aquaculture sector by addressing one or more of the following priorities: (a) supporting the development of emerging systems or technologies that will advance aquaculture in the U.S., including projects that will help stimulate aquaculture production by nascent industries; (b) developing and implementing actionable methods of communicating accurate, science based messages and information about the benefits and risks of U.S. marine aquaculture to the public; and (c) increasing the resiliency of aquaculture systems to natural hazards and changing conditions

Through this EPA program, college students can benefit people, promote prosperity and protect the planet by designing environmental solutions that move us towards a sustainable future. EPA considers projects that address challenges from a wide range of categories including water, energy, agriculture, built environment, and materials and chemicals. These can be challenges found in the developed or developing world. The P3 Award competition is a two-phase team contest. For the first phase, interdisciplinary student teams compete for $15,000 grants. Recipients use the money to research and develop their design projects during the academic year. The final projects include a Phase I project report and a Phase II proposal. In the spring, all teams submit their reports and proposals. Scores from the reports, proposals and the design presentations are combined into a final overall score for each P3 team. Based on these scores, a panel of expert judges recommend to EPA which teams should receive the EPA P3 Award and the opportunity for Phase II funding. Given to the best student designs, this is an award and opportunity for grant funding up to $75,000 to further the project design, implement it in the field, and move it to the marketplace.