Synopsis of Program:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing to develop in silico modeling applications of biological systems in areas as diverse as receptorligand interactions in cell signaling, simulated organ dysfunction (e.g., heart, liver, kidney), and systemic response to environmental toxicants and pollutants. The STAR program is issuing this request for applications (RFA) for research that will seek to apply high-performance computing technologies and theoretical mathematical techniques to facilitate the development of a predictive capacity for estimating outcomes or risk associated with particular toxicity processes as a result of environmental exposure to pollutants and toxicants. The development of predictive computational modeling of whole biological systems from cells to organs has the potential to address environmental and human health factors with broad scientific and environmental or economic impacts. The overall goal of the computational research effort supported by the U.S. EPA is to develop the use of computational approaches to provide tools for quantitative risk assessment and more efficient strategies for prioritizing chemicals for screening and testing. Through the support of the computational toxicology initiative, EPA will fund research that addresses data gaps in environmental and human health risk assessment and will strengthen the ability of predictive scientific data to guide sound future scientific policy, decisions, and research. To support the development of predictive mathematical models and simulations, the Computational Toxicology Centers will be funded for up to 4 years. A research Center is operated through a university, non-profit, or governmental entity to conduct complex, long-term, and collaborative research projects using multi-disciplinary approaches. A research Center is a consortium of investigators who will work together to address the investigational areas being solicited. (see eligibility information section for eligible applicants)
To obtain optimal impact from the STAR computational toxicology resources only two Centers that address problems and research needs facing the U.S. in human health and environmental risk assessment will be awarded. The Centers should be comprised of multiple scientists with different backgrounds and capabilities, from a single or a variety of institutions, working collaboratively. The Centers will also be expected to foster the professional development of junior faculty as well as the training of students and postdoctoral fellows in the use of high performance computing.
Eligibility Information:
Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes public institutions of higher education and hospitals) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes private institutions of higher education and hospitals) located in the U.S., state and local governments, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. See full announcement for more details.
Please follow web link for complete details and application instructions.