EPA/NSF Networks for Characterizing Chemical Life Cycle

This solicitation is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry (CHE) to encourage synergy and enhance cooperation in examining the life cycles of synthetic chemicals and materials as they relate to their manufacture, use, transport, and disposal or recycle. The Networks for Characterizing Chemical Life Cycle (NCCLCs) will promote development of trans-disciplinary, systems- and molecular-level understanding of the life cycle of important (relevant) synthetic chemicals and materials (including nanomaterials) as these distribute and are potentially altered through use in society and interaction with the built and natural environments. For this solicitation, "chemicals" refers broadly to any and all materials, compounds, and individual chemicals or mixtures of chemicals, including nanomaterials. Advances resulting from these Networks are expected to provide methods and tools for characterizing and predicting environmental and health implications of chemical manufacture and use across the life cycle. Education, workforce development, and the translation or transfer of basic research results into social or economic benefits are critical aspects of NCCLC projects. Networks will develop strong mentoring and training activities (which include broadening participation elements) for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral associates. Other educational activities, such as informal science communication and the education of K-12 students or the public, are encouraged. Where appropriate, intellectual property protection and a proactive plan to engage industry in technology transfer is encouraged. It is expected that research teams in the NCCLC awarded under this solicitation will coordinate / communicate with the funded research networks from the EPA/NSF Networks for Sustainable Molecular Design and Synthesis (NSMDS) solicitation (see: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504822). The researchers working in these two network groups are expected to conduct complementary research and; thus, will benefit from interaction with each other at annual EPA All-Investigators Meetings (also known as progress reviews).