It is important that the socio-economic variables explored be integrated with available biological, engineering, or other physical models to link behavioral changes to environmental impacts in the baseline. The significance of stochastic influences can be addressed by sensitivity analyses, e.g., by assigning reasonable higher or lower bounds, Monte Carlo probabilistic distributions, or other appropriate methods. The expected results of supported research will be tools and models that can be utilized and extended by policy analysts at all levels to investigate the likely effects of different policies, trends and unpredictable events on environmental quality. It is anticipated that projects funded under this part of the solicitation will involve literature investigation and analysis, discussions with colleagues, and perhaps computer modeling. Applicants will be expected to budget for and participate in a workshop on environmental futures with EPA and other scientists, other agency officials, and other grantees in Washington, DC, to report on their research activities and to discuss issues of mutual interest.
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. 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.