Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42)?

The Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) is a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) program within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that funds large, center-based research efforts known as Superfund Research Program (SRP) Centers. These Centers are designed to support problem-based, solution-oriented research focused on hazardous substances that affect communities and the environment.

What type of funding opportunity is this?

This opportunity was published as Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-14-001 under a discretionary grant mechanism. It supports large, integrated, center-based awards rather than a single stand-alone research project.

Who runs and administers this program?

The program is run by NIEHS, which is part of NIH.

What is an SRP Center, and how is it different from a single research project grant?

An SRP Center is an integrated Center made up of multiple coordinated research projects that span biomedical sciences and environmental science and engineering. In addition to the research projects, the Center operates several supporting cores that provide coordination, engagement, training, translation, and shared support functions. The intent is to build a coordinated program positioned for real-world impact, not just fund one isolated project.

What is the overall goal of SRP Centers funded under this opportunity?

The goal is to support problem-based, solution-oriented research that directly addresses hazardous substances affecting communities and the environment, with an emphasis on coordinated work that can lead to practical outcomes and impact.

What is the scientific and legislative foundation for the SRP Center scope?

The scientific scope is grounded in the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. The funded work is expected to advance knowledge and tools related to hazardous substances through a coordinated pipeline of detection, exposure and health effects understanding, risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and mitigation or cleanup strategies.

What are the main scientific areas this program expects Centers to address?

The program emphasizes advances across four main areas:

• Developing and improving advanced techniques to detect hazardous substances, assess exposures, and evaluate effects on human health.
• Creating or refining methods to assess the risks hazardous substances pose to human health.
• Improving methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment.
• Advancing basic biological, chemical, and physical approaches that can reduce the amount of hazardous substances and/or decrease their toxicity.

Does this program emphasize translating research into real-world impact?

Yes. The opportunity describes SRP Centers as solution-oriented and structured to support coordinated work that is accessible and positioned to have real-world impact, including through activities like community engagement and research translation supported by Center cores.

What components are expected within an SRP Center besides research projects?

Alongside multiple coordinated research projects, each Center is expected to operate supporting cores that handle essential functions, including administration, community engagement, research translation, training, and shared research support.

What is meant by "cores" in this funding opportunity?

Cores are Center-wide shared components that provide essential functions to ensure the work is coordinated and supported. The announcement describes cores that cover administration, community engagement, research translation, training, and shared research support.

How much total funding was estimated for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount listed for this opportunity is $8,500,000.

What funding activity categories does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity falls under the funding activity categories of education, environment, and health.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

This opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.143, identified as NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances Basic Research and Education.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required, meaning applicants are not expected to contribute a specific non-federal financial match as a condition of the award.

Which organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is focused on U.S.-based higher education institutions, including public and state-controlled institutions and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity also specifically calls out eligibility for mission-focused institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and AANAPISIs.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?

No. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible under this opportunity.

Are any foreign elements allowed to participate at all?

Yes, but only in a limited way. The opportunity notes that foreign components as defined under NIH policy are allowed, which generally means well-justified foreign elements may participate in a supporting role when permitted by NIH rules.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-ES-14-001.

When was this opportunity originally posted?

The key dates show it was posted on Nov 18, 2013.

What was the application closing date?

The application closing date listed in the announcement was Apr 10, 2014.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed was May 11, 2014.

Where were the official announcement details provided?

The full announcement and official details were provided through the NIH grants website.

Who was listed as the contact for access or linking issues?

Administrative contact support for access or linking issues was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.

Does the program support only environmental science, or does it include biomedical research too?

It includes both. The opportunity emphasizes coordinated projects spanning biomedical sciences and environmental science and engineering within the same integrated Center.

What kind of research pipeline does the opportunity describe?

It emphasizes an end-to-end pipeline from detection and measurement, to understanding health effects and risk, to environmental monitoring, and finally to practical strategies for mitigation or cleanup.