P3 Award: National Student Design Competition for Sustainability

 

The P3 program supports research, development, and design of innovative projects that address real world challenges involving environmental protection and public health. The P3 competition highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative technology-based projects that achieve the mutual goals of improved quality of life, economic prosperity, and protection of the planet people, prosperity, and the planet. The P3 Program encourages a shift towards more environmentally benign products, processes, and systems. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2023: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks applications proposing to take a holistic approach, grounded in research and innovation, to develop and demonstrate solutions to real world challenges. The People, Prosperity, and the Planets (P3) Program highlights the use of scientific principles in creating innovative technology-based projects that achieve the mutual goals of improved quality of life, economic prosperity and environmental protection. P3 encourages interdisciplinary collaborations across STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines to devise innovative solutions to environmental and public health challenges in the United States, including those in small, rural, tribal and/or underserved communities. Challenges from a wide range of categories will be considered. These include: Clean and Healthy Air; Clean and Safe Water; Safeguarding and Revitalizing Communities; and Ensuring Safety of Chemicals.

Active 66.516 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16: 86. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16 est.: 38. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16: 33. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16 est.: 8. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the NCER P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3. Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16: 86. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 16: 32. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16: 34. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 16: 7. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the NCER P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2017 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 17: 88. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 17: 18. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 17: 30. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 17: 6. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the NCER P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2018 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 18: 59. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 18: 24. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 18: 26. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 18: 8. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the EPA/ORD P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2019 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 2019: 76; New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 2019: 33. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 2019: 17; New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 2019: 6. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the EPA/ORD P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2020 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 20: 70. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 20: 4. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 20: 0. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 20: 8. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the EPA/ORD P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3.
Fiscal Year 2022 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 22: 59. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 22: 16. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 22: 0. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 22: 5.
Fiscal Year 2023 Applications received for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 23: 42. New awards for the P3 Phase I Award: FY 23: 19. Applications received for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 23: 0. New awards for the P3 Phase II Award: FY 23: 4. Abstracts of grant awards, and final summary results of the research will be available on the EPA/ORD P3 homepage: https://www.epa.gov/P3. Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442, 42 U.S.C. 300j-1
Clean Water Act, Section 104, 33 U.S.C. 1254
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, 42 U.S.C. 6981
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20(a), as amended by P.L. 106-74, 7 U.S.C. 136r
Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a), as amended by P.L. 106-74, 15 U.S.C. 2609
Clean Air Act, Section 103, 42 U.S.C. 7403
National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(I)
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Section 311, 42 U.S.C. 9660
Clean Air Act, Section 104, 42 U.S.C. 7404 For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Public and private institutions of higher education (limited to degree-granting institutions of higher education) located in the U.S. (includes eligible institutions of higher education located in U.S. territories and possessions) are eligible to apply to be the recipient of a grant to support teams of undergraduate, graduate students, or both. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to receive assistance agreements from the EPA under this program. The students on the teams supported by the institution receiving the grant must be enrolled in the college, university, or post-secondary educational institution they will be representing at the time the application is submitted. Institutions are allowed to submit more than one application where each application represents a unique design concept and student team. For the purposes of grant administration, the team's faculty advisor will be designated the Principal Investigator throughout the P3 grant award and competition process. Consistent with the definition of Nonprofit organization at 2 CFR ? 200.1, the term nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes tax-exempt nonprofit neighborhood and labor organizations. Note that 2 CFR ? 200.1 specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. While not considered to be a nonprofit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR ? 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this program. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR ? 200.1 are not eligible to apply. State, local and federally recognized Indian tribal governments are not eligible to submit applications under this program. Under this competition, eligible nonprofit organizations are limited to research institutes and foundations that are part of or affiliated with a U.S. institution of higher education. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible. 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; such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible to apply. National laboratories funded by Federal Agencies (Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, "FFRDCs") may not apply. FFRDC employees may cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation and regulations. They may participate in planning, conducting, and analyzing the research directed by the applicant, but may not direct projects on behalf of the applicant organization. An award recipient may provide funds through its assistance agreement from the EPA to an FFRDC for research personnel, supplies, equipment, and other expenses directly related to the research. 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. The applicant institution may enter into an agreement with a Federal Agency to purchase or utilize unique supplies or services unavailable in the private sector to the extent authorized by law. Examples are purchase of satellite data, chemical reference standards, analyses, or use of instrumentation or other facilities not available elsewhere. A written justification for federal involvement must be included in the application. In addition, an appropriate form of assurance that documents the commitment, such as a letter of intent from the Federal Agency involved, should be included. Public Nonprofit Institutions/Organizations, Private Nonprofit Institutions/Organizations, Anyone/General Public, Education Professional, Student/Trainee, Graduate Student, Scientists/Researchers. EPA may request that students document their affiliation with an eligible institution. The EPA may also request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary resources to carry out the research. EPA may ask applicants to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. EPA may also ask the principal investigator for information documenting past performance. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. See Request for Application (RFA) at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants for description of the steps for applying for assistance. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Customarily, applicants are notified of award decisions within six months of the close of the RFA. After being recommended for award, applicants will be required to submit additional certifications and may be requested to submit an electronic version of the project abstract, provide responses to comments or suggestions offered by the peer reviewers, and provide a revised budget. EPA Project Officers will contact Principal Investigators to obtain these materials. The official notification of an award will be made by the Agency's Grants and Interagency Agreement Management Division. Before or after award, certain applicants will be expected to provide additional quality assurance documentation. For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the competitive announcement. Approximately 150-180 days from the close of the solicitation. Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Not applicable. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement. The P3 program requests applications for innovative research projects/designs from eligible institutions. The P3 Program supports EPA priorities by funding multi-disciplinary, faculty-led student teams that use the best available scientific knowledge and research results to address environmental problems identified by EPA’s program offices, states and tribal partners as being important, including small, rural, tribal, and/or underserved communities. As a result, the P3 Program provides tested innovative solutions that stakeholders can use to help solve these problems. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA. Performance Reports: Performance monitoring is required under this program. Requirements and frequency will be determined at time of award. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. P3 Awards will be fully funded. The project period will normally not exceed 2 years (over 180 days). Renewals are not available. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with the contact listed in the solicitation. The solicitation may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/P3. Ron Josephson, Eligibility Contact
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004 US
josephson.ron@epa.gov
Phone: 202-564-7823 https://www.epa.gov/P3 68-0107-0-1-304 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$899,000.00; FY 23 est $800,000.00; FY 24 est $800,000.00; FY 21$779,000.00; FY 20$694,000.00; FY 19$1,100,000.00; FY 18$1,021,076.00; FY 17$992,076.00; FY 16$0.00; - Phase I Awards range from $24,131 to $25,000 total per grant. Average awards total $24,900. Phase II Awards range from $99,768 to $100,000 total per grant. Average awards total $99,950. 2 CFR 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); 40 CFR Part 40 (EPA Research and Demonstration Grants). Fiscal Year 2016 1. The purpose of the project is to develop a smart solar window that will be able to generate electricity and thereby substantially reduce HVAC power consumption. If successful, this project could represent an important step toward the development of fully carbon neutral buildings and communities. 2. This project will examine how a new sustainable concrete might alleviate corrosion of steel reinforcement in the presence of chloride. The new concrete will use the industrial waste product "chat" as a mineral additive and/or aggregate with positive environmental effects. The chat is expected to immobilize the chloride that corrodes concrete and at the same time render chat's hazardous component (lead) immobile. 3. This project will explore a technique to remediate nitrate pollution of surface water and groundwater systems. 4. The student team will develop a prototype reusable storm drain filter insert that will trap oil and sediments, thereby removing hydrocarbons and heavy metals from storm runoff. 5. The student team plans to develop wearable air quality sensors and a data dashboard that aggregates sensor data and analyzes data quality. The project aims to reduce demolition waste associated with current insulation technologies. The team proposes to use design-for-disassembly principles to develop a pre-fabricated system that uses benign materials and complementary manufacturing and disassembly processes to maximize the ability to reuse the components with only minor reprocessing. 2. Combine 3D virtual-prototyping technology with the Material Sustainability Index to increase efficiency and reduce waste starting at the apparel development stage. 3. This project aims to design, construct, and demonstrate a drinking water purification process that couples sand filtration with the natural protein, keratin, which will act as an adsorbent for removing heavy metals from water. 4. Study the effectiveness of catalytic de-coloration at low temperatures (<250 °C) using a bi-metallic catalyst, then convert the biphenyl into other more useful and less toxic chemicals, such as cyclohexyl benzene. 5. This project will study the practicality of using stormwater biofiltration to slow runoff and capture pollutants. The project will do laboratory studies to determine key design parameters to achieve biofilter resiliency and monitor for 18 months the hydrologic and pollutant removal of the existing biofilters in the test beds. It will develop a ethodology for determining the most effective media-plant combinations for biofiltration systems in particular settings.
Fiscal Year 2017 1. The project aims to reduce demolition waste associated with current insulation technologies. The team proposes to use design-for-disassembly principles to develop a pre-fabricated system that uses benign materials and complementary manufacturing and disassembly processes to maximize the ability to reuse the components with only minor reprocessing. 2. Combine 3D virtual-prototyping technology with the Material Sustainability Index to increase efficiency and reduce waste starting at the apparel development stage. 3. This project aims to design, construct, and demonstrate a drinking water purification process that couples sand filtration with the natural protein, keratin, which will act as an adsorbent for removing heavy metals from water. 4. Study the effectiveness of catalytic de-coloration at low temperatures (<250 °C) using a bi-metallic catalyst, then convert the biphenyl into other more useful and less toxic chemicals, such as cyclohexyl benzene. 5. This project will study the practicality of using stormwater biofiltration to slow runoff and capture pollutants. The project will do laboratory studies to determine key design parameters to achieve biofilter resiliency and monitor for 18 months the hydrologic and pollutant removal of the existing biofilters in the test beds. It will develop a methodology for determining the most effective media-plant combinations for biofiltration systems in particular settings.
Fiscal Year 2018 1. This project is using green chemistry to develop an additive that can improve the overall efficiency of solar disinfection techniques for drinking water purification. Many homes use solar disinfection as an in-home water treatment system. This project aims to create a more efficient solar water treatment technique through green chemistry. 2. The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a hydrothermal system that produces renewable fertilizer from seafood wastes. This technology can provide an added revenue stream for farmers and will reduce the amount of waste being landfilled. The green fertilizer produced from this technology can help the agricultural economy and curbs the need for sending seafood waste to landfills. 3. The objective of the project is to develop a sensor that enables online monitoring and control of the phosphorus removal process. The sensor will provide reliable and accurate real-time measurements of phosphate in wastewater and will simplify operations, increasing removal/recovery efficiencies and reducing chemical usage at wastewater facilities. The sensors developed through this project allow for better nutrient recovery in wastewater treatment plants and cost reductions in running these plants. 4. The proposed technology is to create a unique wastewater treatment system that is also able to produce algal biofilm, which can be used as feedstock for energy generation. The goals of this project are two-fold; to create a more effective and cost-efficient wastewater treatment system and use the output of that system as the feedstock for renewable energy production. 5. The project aims to create a lightweight, flexible, thin film solar panel that has applications beyond just building rooftops. This will increase solar power generation capacity and improve energy efficiency. By creating a more functional solar panel that can be used on multiple surfaces, this technology can increase solar power generation, while reducing emissions from conventional energy sources and will also reduce costs of installing traditional solar panels that are fragile and heavy.
Fiscal Year 2023 Examples of projects funded under this assistance listing include: 1. The purpose of this project is to monitor indoor concentrations of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), and airborne pathogens in a classroom setting utilizing inexpensive cloud-based air quality sensors. 2. The purpose of this project is to develop an innovative on-site screening electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) biosensor which can rapidly and simply monitor harmful algal blooms. 3. The purpose of this project is to develop a technique to evaluate and quantify the concentration of microplastics in stormwater runoff. The validated evaluation method will then be compared to modern stormwater controls to gain better insight on the fate and transport of microplastics in stormwater. 4. The objective of the project is to develop a low-cost, energy efficient technology for removing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from landfill leachate contaminated water, by using a non-toxic, commercially available photocatalyst powered by boron nitride and ultraviolet light. 5. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the efficacy of natural extracts formulations in antifouling protection using a custom model aquarium which will contribute to the environmental health of marine environments by reducing the transmission of biofilm generating bacteria by boats and ships beyond their natural habitat to areas where it is invasive and causes uncontrolled algae bloom and contributes to fish and crab mortality.