EPA is requesting proposals that lead to new approaches for developing and evaluating alternative future socio-economic scenarios which may create risks to regional ecosystems and threaten their sustainability. While proposals for all regions of the United States will be considered, the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern regions will be given the highest priority. Proposers should consider the need to take an interdisciplinary approach to this research that recognizes the interactive nature of society and environmental change. Another challenge is to consider the differences in patterns across a region, since changes in socio-economic drivers and resulting pressures will likely vary from large metropolitan areas to small rural communities. Scenarios should address patterns and trends in regional infrastructure, including transportation, energy, land-use, etc., that increase regional ecological risk.
Awards are subject to the availability of funds.
Profit-making firms are not eligible to receive grants from EPA under this program. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on a grant. They may participate in planning, conducting, and analyzing the research directed by the principal investigator, but may not direct projects on behalf of the applicant organization or principal investigator. Federal employees may not receive salaries or in other ways augment their agency's appropriations through grants made by this program. However, federal employees may interact with grantees so long as their involvement is not essential to achieving the basic goals of the grant.1 The principal investigator's institution may also enter into an agreement with a federal agency to purchase or utilize unique supplies or services unavailable in the private sector.