[Federal Register: July 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 38100-38102]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy10-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund
Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program Strategic Plan;
Request for Comments
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS), a research institute of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is
seeking comments on this draft National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training
Program (SRP) Strategic Plan.
DATES: To assure consideration, comments must be received by 30 days
following the date of publication of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be e-mailed to Srpinfo@neihs.nih.gov.
Introduction
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (SRP) is a
critical player in the national effort to protect Human health and the
environment from hazardous substances. The university-based research
program was created under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act (SARA) of 1986 to meet the need for innovative strategies and
technologies to provide solutions to the magnitude and complexity of
Superfund assessment and remediation. The SARA legislation calls for a
basic research and training program with four targeted mandate areas:
Human health effects, assessment of risks, detection technologies, and
remediation approaches relevant to hazardous substances. The SRP was
created by the same legislative framework that created the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund hazardous waste
remediation program and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The SRP's
role is to support science-based decision-making by elucidating the
basic principles underlying hazardous substance toxicity, risk
assessment, measurement, and remediation. Accordingly SRP, EPA, and
ATSDR constitute a shared partnership to improve human health and the
environment through reducing or eliminating the negative impacts of
hazardous waste sites.
In order to fulfill its mandates, the SRP has developed a research
framework that integrates the many different disciplines required to
address the complex, interdependent, yet fundamental issues related to
hazardous substances. These disciplines include toxicology, molecular
biology, engineering, geosciences, epidemiology, ecology, etc. SRP
research achieves a fundamental understanding of biological,
environmental and engineering processes (i.e., basic science) and
exploits this knowledge to contribute to solving hazardous waste-
related issues (i.e., applied science). In addition, the SRP seeks to
train the next generation of researchers and professionals tasked with
protecting human health and the environment from the risks of hazardous
substances.
Objectives and Goals
The purposes of this Strategic Plan are to communicate objectives
and goals identified by the Program staff and to present strategies to
be implemented over the next five years. Three overarching objectives
provide direction to the SRP:
1. Address issues of high relevance.
2. Maximize the impact of program investments.
3. Foster innovation.
Objective 1: Address Issues of High Relevance
Relevant research is defined in the SRP mandates presented in SARA
Section 311(a). SARA describes the Program's primary objectives to be
the development of: Advanced techniques for the detection, assessment,
and evaluation of the effects on human health of hazardous substances;
methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous
substances; methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in
the environment; and basic biological, chemical, and physical methods
to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances.
Within the context of Program mandates, the SRP considers the
diverse research and information needs of its stakeholders as important
criteria for determining relevance. The SRP's primary stakeholders are
its sister Superfund programs at EPA and ATSDR. Additional stakeholders
include other Federal agencies, State, local, and Tribal entities
responsible for the myriad sites impacted by hazardous substances, as
well as the individuals and communities living near hazardous waste
sites.
Goals To Achieve Relevance
Encourage problem-based, solution-oriented research. The
multi-disciplinary scope of mandates and the Program structure provide
the potential for SRP research to address complex environmental
problems, particularly related to sites impacted by hazardous
substances. In addition to addressing complex problems, the SRP wants
the research to continually achieve greater relevance. To promote
relevance, the SRP challenges applicants to design problem-based,
solution-oriented research proposals. This will create opportunities to
solve issues relevant to the SRP stakeholders' needs. In consultation
with stakeholders, Program staff seeks to improve the processes for
identifying stakeholder research needs and to incorporate these needs
into its research agenda.
Promote interaction between SRP and its stakeholders. The
SRP recognizes that ongoing interaction with stakeholders promotes
research relevance. Therefore, investigators should seek input from
stakeholders as they develop a proposal and should keep them apprised
of progress throughout the life of the grant. This applies not only to
research, but also community engagement activities. Program staff will
assist in fostering these interactions by creating networking
opportunities between stakeholders and grantees. Program staff will
also investigate mechanisms to provide research opportunities between
grantees and stakeholders.
Prioritize critical research areas. Maximizing relevancy
requires that SRP covers all mandate areas (health effects, risk,
detection and remediation) and addresses the most critical current and
emerging needs. To accomplish this, SRP will be proactive in achieving
coverage across mandate areas, contaminants, and exposure scenarios
placing emphasis on stakeholders' critical needs. This also means
deemphasizing areas of duplication within Program research. Program
staff will take steps to effectively communicate these priorities to
applicants, grantees, and peer reviewers. When preparing applications,
applicants should, in turn, assemble teams to address research
challenges within a given mandate area, contaminant, or exposure
scenario with the greatest potential to support SRP's goal to protect
human health and the environment from hazardous substances.
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Objective 2: Maximize the Impact of Program Investments
The SRP anticipates that Program-generated scientific knowledge
will be used by stakeholders in making science-based decisions ranging
from selecting innovative remediation strategies, to reducing
exposures, to improving risk reduction policy and practice. In the
Program's more than 20 year history, SRP-funded researchers have made
significant advances in each of the Program's mandated research areas.
SRP sees tremendous potential to enhance research translation,
dissemination, collaboration, and training in order to maximize the
impact of its research investment.
Goals To Achieve Impact
Encourage investigator-initiated research translation.
Research translation fosters the movement of fundamental science toward
a useable end-product. It is critical that researchers assume the
responsibility for developing the connections that allow for the
application of their research advances. This is an iterative process
that will require a proactive effort from the grantee and coordination
by Program staff. SRP seeks investigators who share an interest in
effectively translating discoveries to stakeholders.
Disseminate Program successes and research findings.
Disseminating research findings to multiple audiences is critical to
maximizing Program investments. Program staff, in coordination with
grantees, will develop and/or facilitate use of tools to support
enhanced distribution of Program advances. In addition to the
traditional peer-reviewed publications expected by the SRP, the Program
encourages grantees to develop position pieces, reviews, and non-
traditional communication methods to make the significance and
applicability of SRP-funded research discoveries more accessible to the
Program's broad range of stakeholders.
Enhance coordination and collaboration between grantees.
By sharing knowledge and working together, grantees leverage resources,
maximize productivity, and accelerate scientific advancement,
ultimately benefiting those engaged in the policy and practice of
Superfund-related work. Grantees should seek opportunities to
coordinate with each other and, when appropriate, pursue collaborative
projects. Program staff will, in turn, identify appropriate mechanisms
to facilitate coordination and support for such collaborations.
Enhance impact of training activities. SRP will continue
to emphasize training of graduate and post-doctoral students in cross-
disciplinary research. However, the objectives proposed within this
strategic plan provide an opportunity to broaden the impact of SRP
training. Grantees should identify ways to involve trainees in
stakeholder interactions or community engagement, in projects that
promote coordination or collaboration among grantees, and in research
translation. To broaden cross-disciplinary opportunities, Program staff
will foster networking among trainees, and between trainees and
stakeholders.
Objective 3: Foster Innovation
The SRP was created to address the need for innovative strategies
and technologies to provide solutions to Superfund-related issues. As
such, SRP is uniquely positioned to develop new methods and approaches
to tackle complex problems for which there is no easy solution. While
achieving the relevance and impact, the Program strives to push the
boundaries of science using the newest technologies and challenging
current paradigms. SRP will provide the structure to allow grantees to
pursue novel ideas and untested approaches. When successful, such high
risk research results in significant scientific advances.
Goals To Foster Innovation
Promote transdisciplinary science. SRP firmly supports
transdisciplinary research--the synthesis and extension of disciplinary
boundaries--as a mechanism for introducing innovative solutions to
problems. Applicants are encouraged to create novel solutions to
existing, relevant problems by adapting technologies and approaches
from one field and applying them to other fields. SRP has and will
continue to foster opportunities for this kind of research.
Encourage new technologies and challenge existing
paradigms. While a portion of SRP grants advance current risk paradigms
or improve established clean-up remedies, forward-looking or
``anticipatory'' research is also critical to identify and address
future stakeholder needs. This may include utilizing cutting-edge
research tools, developing new risk frameworks, or devising more
sustainable solutions to address Superfund issues. As these new
approaches may be considered ``risky'' research, Program staff will
ensure appropriate review of applications proposing high-risk, high
payoff research.
Guiding Principles
The SRP recognizes that the successful implementation of the goals
and objectives of the Strategic Plan must be accomplished in a manner
that is accountable, coordinated, and transparent.
Accountable--SRP will meet and exceed the directives of the Program
mandates while adhering to the policies of NIH. This Strategic Plan is
designed to allow the Program to enhance its accountability to
stakeholders and taxpayers by directing research towards highly
relevant, impact-driven, and innovative solutions to our nation's
Superfund-related issues.
Coordinated--As the SRP has limited resources, it is imperative to
coordinate its research efforts with other research, training,
community engagement, and technology development programs being
administered through various academic, private-sector, and governmental
entities. Where possible, the SRP, in partnership with other programs,
will seek to leverage its finite research dollars, such that the
benefits of its research advances are maximized and fully utilized.
SRP staff will coordinate interactions at multiple levels:
Among the SRP grantee community which includes multi-
project grants, individual investigator grants, and small business
innovative research/small business technology transfer grants.
Within the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
[cir] With other research programs within NIEHS, such as the Worker
Training Program and the National Toxicology Program.
[cir] With other NIH Institutes, programs or offices, such as the
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, and National
Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.
[cir] With trans-NIH programs, such as the Genes, Environment and
Health Initiative, and Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats
(CounterACT) Research Network.
Between sister Superfund agencies, that is the EPA Office
of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation and ATSDR.
Between agencies with similar missions for research,
training, and technology development such as the EPA Office of Research
and Development and the National Science Foundation.
These coordination activities are necessary to fully advance SRP
science into the hands of stakeholders.
Transparent--SRP anticipates an evolving process in implementing
the
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objectives of the Strategic Plan. Program staff will communicate
anticipated actions to grantees, reviewers, and stakeholders. The staff
will be open for suggestions to improve transparency or identify areas
where clarification is needed.
Conclusion
There remains a need for fundamental research to address SRP's
original mandates. The Program's sister agencies tasked with developing
and implementing policies to protect health rely upon the best science.
Likewise, communities living near sites impacted by hazardous
substances need accessible science to fully participate in decisions
made about site management. The stated objectives of the Strategic Plan
(addressing relevant issues, maximizing impact, and fostering
innovation) have been designed to better address stakeholders' needs.
This Strategic Plan, as a living document, will guide the Program over
the next five years. Program staff look forward to embracing this
future with grantees, stakeholders, and others who share the greater
vision of improving human health and the environment through reducing
or eliminating the negative impacts of exposure to hazardous substances
from hazardous waste sites.
Program staff thank the many contributors who have provided
constructive comments during the strategic planning process and thereby
assisted in the development of this draft strategic plan. We are now
seeking comments on the draft strategic plan. Comments will be accepted
for 30 days following the publication of this notice. Please e-mail
comments to Srpinfo@neihs.nih.gov.
Dated: June 24, 2010.
William A. Suk,
Director, Center for Risk and Integrated Sciences, Director, Superfund
Research Program, Division of Extramural Research and Training,
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National
Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2010-16072 Filed 6-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P