Grants to USA Nonprofits and IHEs for Research Related to Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Genes

National Priorities: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater and Sewage Sludge Treatment and Its Impact on the Environment

Agency

Federal

GrantWatch ID#

209296

Funding Source

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

CFDA Number: 66.511

Funding or PIN Number: EPA-G2023-ORD-F1

Geographic Focus

All USA
USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);
USA Compact Free Associations:The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Marshall Islands (USA) Republic of Palau (USA)

Important Dates

Deadline: 08/16/23 11:59 PM ET

Grant Description

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit organizations and IHEs for research related to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes. Applicants are advised that required registrations must be completed prior to applying. Funding is intended for research addressing bacteria in wastewater and biosolids treatment trains and their potential impact on public health.

In recent years, concern has increased about the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) that could make it more difficult to treat certain infections in animals and people. Wastewater treatment facilities are believed to be potential receptors and sources for ARB and ARGs and can act as a bridge to the environment. This RFA seeks research that will address knowledge gaps in the occurrence, fate and transport, and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms and genes found in municipal wastewater effluent and biosolids. The RFA also requests research on combined sewer overflows, septic systems, and small wastewater systems. Research should provide a better understanding of the impact of ARB and ARGs on receiving waters including information on the relative contribution of ARB and ARGs from wastewater as compared to other sources such as animal agriculture, animal husbandry, hospital sources, and direct industrial sources. Research should also support the development of frameworks and methodologies for quantifying risk related to AMR in treated wastewater discharge, water reuse, and biosolids (and biosolids products) land application and beneficial use. Research results should improve understanding of the nature, extent, selection, and removal of ARB and ARGs found in municipal wastewater effluent and biosolids.

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the Nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity. For additional information, see: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-05/FY23%20NP%20Antimicrobial%20Resistance%20RFA%20MAY%20FINALV2_508.pdf#page=3

Research Areas:

Research Area 1: Understanding the selection and removal of antimicrobial-resistant genes and bacteria throughout wastewater and biosolids treatment trains.
Research Area 2: Understanding the environmental burden and public health impact of antimicrobial-resistant genes and bacteria from different municipal wastewater sources on downstream applications and from biosolids use on the environment.

For additional information, see: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-05/FY23%20NP%20Antimicrobial%20Resistance%20RFA%20MAY%20FINALV2_508.pdf#page=8

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

This solicitation is available to public and private nonprofit institutions and public and private universities and colleges located in the United States and its territories or possessions.

Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status.

Ineligible

Foreign entities, U.S. States, territories and possessions, the District of Columbia, State and local government departments, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments of the U.S., are not eligible to apply under this RFA. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to receive assistance agreements from the EPA under this program.

National laboratories funded by Federal Agencies (Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, “FFRDCs”) may not apply.

Federal Agencies may not apply. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on an assistance agreement. Federal employees may not receive salaries or augment their Agency’s appropriations through awards made under this program unless authorized by law to receive such funding.

Pre-Proposal Conference

Informational Webinar: June 1, 2023, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Register for the informational webinar Here: https://antimicrobial-resistance.eventbrite.com/

Pre-Application Information

Solicitation Opening Date: May 19, 2023
Solicitation Closing Date: August 16, 2023: 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Customarily, applicants are notified about evaluation decisions within six months of the solicitation closing date. Awards are generally made 9-12 months after the solicitation closing date.

Applications submitted outside of Grants.gov will be deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was due to EPA mishandling or technical problems associated with Grants.gov or SAM.gov. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a submission outside of Grants.gov.

- Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active SAM.gov registration: https://sam.gov/content/home
- The process for entity registrations includes obtaining Unique Entity ID (UEI), a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned an entity by SAM.gov, and requires assertions, representations and certifications, and other information about your organization.

If an applicant submits more than one application under this announcement, each application must be submitted separately, and the scope of work proposed in each application must be significantly different from the other application(s) in order for them to all be deemed eligible.

A minimum 25% non-federal cost share/match of the federal funds awarded, which may include in-kind contributions is required.

View this opportunity on Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=348230

For a list of application documents, go to the Package tab (press Preview) on the Grants.gov link above.

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$9,500,000

Number of Grants

Estimated Size of Grant

Award Ceiling: $2,375,000
Award Floor: $0

Term of Contract

EPA award recipients may incur allowable project costs 90 calendar days before the Federal awarding agency makes the Federal award. All costs incurred before EPA makes the award are at the recipient's risk.

Contact Information

Technical Contact: Ben Packard; phone: 202-564-7673; email: packard.benjamin@epa.gov

Eligibility Contact: Ron Josephson; phone: 202-564-7823; email: josephson.ron@epa.gov

Electronic Submissions Contact: electronic-grant-submissions@epa.gov

Contact the Federal Service Desk for help with your SAM.gov account, to resolve technical issues or chat with a help desk agent: (866) 606-8220. The Federal Service desk hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm ET.

Contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov to resolve technical issues with Grants.gov. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545- 5035.

Grants to USA Nonprofits and IHEs for Research Related to Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Genes

National Priorities: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater and Sewage Sludge Treatment and Its Impact on the Environment

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