Superfund Basic Research Program.

The NIEHS is pleased to announce the recompetition of the Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP). Grants made under the SBRP will be for coordinated, multiproject, multi- and interdisciplinary programs. The objective remains to establish and maintain a unique program that links and integrates biomedical research with related engineering, hydrogeologic, and ecologic components.

The SBRP was established in 1986 as a university-based program of basic research and training grants to address the wide array of scientific uncertainties facing the nation's Superfund Program. It was created as a network of multi- and interdisciplinary teams of researchers to address the broad, complex health and environmental issues that arise from the multimedia nature of hazardous waste sites. Assembling researchers from diverse disciplines to focus on a unifying theme provides an opportunity to advance the science in a more effective, efficient, and resource-leveraged manner. Furthermore, establishing multidisciplinary research programs provides a more comprehensive understanding of complex environmental issues. The knowledge gained through research efforts of this nature can be useful in supporting the decisions made by state, local, and federal agencies, private organizations, and industry related to the management of hazardous substances.

In this solicitation, the NIEHS seeks to expand biomedical research and environmental and engineering sciences to address the complex environmental challenges associated with hazardous waste sites. Each applicant is encouraged to develop an application that incorporates innovative technological approaches and multiproject, interdisciplinary research studies. It is expected that each interdisciplinary research program will develop an overall conceptual theme that fosters collaborative interactions whereby projects are integrated, and specific emphasis is placed on interactions between the biomedical and nonbiomedical research projects.

In addition, the SBRP is committed to the concept that the program is more than just a basic research program, and that to truly be effective it must foster the training of graduate and postdoctoral students and be proactive in translating the scientific accomplishments emanating from the program to communities. Therefore, the NIEHS has included training and community outreach as components of this solicitation.

Applications are due 21 April 2004.

Contact Claudia Thompson, Ph.D., e-mail: [e-mail]

For more information | http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/rfa