National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program Strategic Plan; Request for Comments, 38100-38102 [2010-16072]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 126 / Thursday, July 1, 2010 / Notices
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.
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.
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
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
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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 wasterelated 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.
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Goals To Achieve Relevance
• Encourage problem-based, solutionoriented research. The multidisciplinary 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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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 126 / Thursday, July 1, 2010 / Notices
Objective 2: Maximize the Impact of
Program Investments
The SRP anticipates that Programgenerated scientific knowledge will be
used by stakeholders in making sciencebased 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.
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
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 SRPfunded 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.
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• Enhance impact of training
activities. SRP will continue to
emphasize training of graduate and
post-doctoral students in crossdisciplinary 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 crossdisciplinary 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.
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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):
Æ With other research programs
within NIEHS, such as the Worker
Training Program and the National
Toxicology Program.
Æ 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.
Æ 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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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 126 / Thursday, July 1, 2010 / Notices
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
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality, HHS.
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ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
intention of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request
that the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approve the proposed
information collection project: ‘‘National
Hospital Adverse Event Reporting
System: Questionnaire Redesign and
Testing.’’ In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
3501–3520, AHRQ invites the public to
comment on this proposed information
collection.
This proposed information collection
was previously published in the Federal
Register on May 3rd 2010 and allowed
60 days for public comment. One
comment was received. The purpose of
this notice is to allow an additional 30
days for public comment.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by August 2, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be submitted to: AHRQs OMB Desk
Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974
(attention: AHRQs desk officer) or by email at OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov
(attention: AHRQ’s desk officer).
Copies of the proposed collection
plans, data collection instruments, and
specific details on the estimated burden
can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports
Clearance Officer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports
Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by
e-mail at doris.lefkowitz(AHRQ.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Project
National Hospital Adverse Event
Reporting System: Questionnaire
Redesign and Testing
As provider of operational support to
the chair of the Quality Interagency
Task Force (QuIC), AHRQ coordinated
the Federal response to the Institute of
Medicine’s (IOM) 1999 report on
medical errors and outlined specific
initiatives the QuIC agencies will take.
The Errors Workgroup within the QuIC
identified the need for measures to
evaluate the use of adverse medical
event reporting for managing and
improving patient safety within
healthcare institutions. In response,
AHRQ created the Hospital Adverse
Event Reporting Survey to provide
national estimates. This survey has been
fielded twice, first in 2005 and again in
2008.
Revisions to the questionnaire and
sample selection are now necessary in
response to the Patient Safety and
Quality Improvement Rule (Patient
Safety Rule), 42 CFR Part 3, issued by
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the United States Department of Health
and Human Services, which implements
the Patient Safety and Quality
Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety
Act), 42 U.S.C. 299b–21 through 299b–
26. The Patient Safety Rule and Patient
Safety Act authorize the creation of
Patient Safety Organizations (PSO) to
enhance quality and safety by collecting
patient safety reports of adverse events.
AHRQ started listing PSOs in late 2008
pursuant to the Patient Safety Act.
These organizations have begun
working with hospitals and other
providers to monitor patient safety
events according to common reporting
formats, and to improve patient safety.
This revised survey will be used for the
third round of data collection in 2011,
under a separate OMB clearance, to
assess the impact of the PSOs and the
Patient Safety Act on the use of adverse
event reporting systems and will
incorporate questions about reporting
using the AHRQ Common Formats, and
reporting information to a Patient Safety
Organization.
This project is being conducted by
AHRQ’s contractor, Westat, pursuant to
AHRQ’s statutory mandates to (1)
promote health care quality
improvement by conducting and
supporting research that develops and
presents scientific evidence regarding
all aspects of health care, including
methods for measuring quality and
strategies for improving quality (42
U.S.C. 299(b)(1)(F)) and (2) conduct and
support research on health care and on
systems for the delivery of such care,
including activities with respect to
quality measurement and improvement
(42 U.S.C. 299a(a)(2).
Method of Collection
This project will include the
following data collections:
(1) Semi-structured interviews will be
conducted with one risk manager or
other representative responsible for
adverse event reporting from 7
participating hospitals and with one
person from the two participating PSOs.
These interviews will be conducted to
learn more about the current hospital
adverse event reporting environment
and to understand how adverse event
reporting may have changed in response
to the Patient Safety Act. Survey
developers will use the information
from these interviews to develop
questions for the revised questionnaire.
(2) Cognitive interviews will be
conducted with one risk manager or
other representative responsible for
adverse event reporting in 30
participating hospitals. The purpose of
these cognitive interviews is to test and
refine the revised questionnaire. The
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38100-38102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16072]
[[Page 38100]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[[Page 38101]]
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
[[Page 38102]]
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
