DEVELOPING AND DEMONSTRATING NANOSENSOR TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT, MONITOR, AND DEGRADE POLLUTANTS | EPA G2024 STAR G1

Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA G2024 STAR G1

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a competitive research grant under its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program to support the development and demonstration of advanced nanosensor technologies that can do more than just detect pollution. The central idea of this opportunity is to fund work on nanotechnology-based sensing platforms that integrate functionalized catalysts, meaning the sensor system is designed not only to identify and track contaminants in water, but also to actively degrade or break down selected pollutants as part of the same overall technology concept. The specific contaminant class emphasized in this announcement is PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), with a focus on real-world applicability for groundwater and surface water sources that could be used for drinking water. In other words, the EPA is looking for proposals that combine detection, monitoring, and treatment-oriented degradation in water environments where human exposure is a practical concern.

This grant falls under the EPA STAR Program, which is an extramural, peer-reviewed research program intended to bring in strong scientific and engineering talent from outside the agency, especially from academic and other nonprofit research institutions. STAR is designed to produce credible, high-quality research that supports EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, and it historically supports a broad range of topics connected to environmental and public health risks. In the context of this funding opportunity, the goal is to push forward the science and engineering needed to make nanosensor approaches more capable and field-relevant, especially for PFAS challenges where detection at very low concentrations and persistent contamination are major issues.

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant and is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 66.509. The funding opportunity number is EPA G2024 STAR G1, and the project focus is within the environmental research activity category. The EPA anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000, indicating that the agency is likely aiming for a single, relatively large and focused project that can demonstrate meaningful progress and potentially produce a working proof-of-concept or demonstration-ready technology. The original application closing date provided is November 13, 2024, and the opportunity was created on July 31, 2024.

A key feature of the announcement is its emphasis on expanding participation in EPA-supported research. The EPA explicitly states that it is important to engage all available minds to address national environmental challenges and that it wants to broaden who is included in these efforts, particularly communities and institutions that may not have historically been part of these conversations or programs. Along those lines, the agency strongly encourages eligible applicants, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply. Eligibility is referenced as being detailed in Section III of the full funding opportunity announcement, and applicants are expected to consult that section to confirm whether their organization type and status fit the requirements.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted call for high-impact research that merges nanotechnology sensing with catalytic functionality aimed at PFAS in drinking-water-relevant sources. The EPA is not simply asking for improved laboratory detection methods; it is signaling interest in integrated technologies that can detect and track contamination and also contribute to degrading PFAS or related selected contaminants, moving closer to practical tools that could support monitoring and remediation strategies in real water systems.

• The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DEVELOPING AND DEMONSTRATING NANOSENSOR TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT, MONITOR, AND DEGRADE POLLUTANTS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.509.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for EPA G2024 STAR G1

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