[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38100-38102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16072]



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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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

    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