Department of Defense

Types of Environment and Natural Resources Research Supported

The Department of Defense (DoD) invests resources in environment and natural resources R&D to meet its responsibility to the Nation to clean up its facilities, to move toward forces and infrastructure that are non-polluting, to husband the lands and resources under its control, and to be compliant with Federal, State, local, and international regulations. In addition, the Department's operational needs lead to investments in R&D to understand and predict the state of the operating environment (e.g., weather, oceanography, terrain) and its effects upon people, platforms, sensors, and weapon systems. Knowledge of these environmental effects leads directly to tactical and strategic military advantage, which can significantly alter the outcome of conflict.

Research Funding Opportunities

DoD emphasizes competitive opportunities within all of its R&D program areas -- Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense Agency programs; the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP); and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). All continually offer competitive opportunities within the Federal laboratories, academia, and private industry. Generic queries about SERDP should be directed as follows:

SERDP Program Office
901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 303
Arlington, VA 22203
703.696.2117 (voice)
http://prop.wes.army.mil/serdp/home.html

Information on ESTCP opportunities can be obtained by accessing their Home Page http://www.acq.osd.mil/ ens/ESTCP. html or by calling 703.578.6157 (voice).

RFPs and general R&D announcements are found in the Commerce Business Daily and the Federal Register. Additionally, unsolicited proposals pertaining to unique and innovative concepts are accepted by the Department and Defense Agency programs.

Contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and cost-shared financial assistance awards are standard methods of formalizing responsibilities in developing projects with the Department. CRADAs serve as the primary vehicles for technology transfer. A CRADA is an R&D agreement between Federal laboratories and non-Federal parties. Under a CRADA, a Government laboratory provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment, or other resources (excluding funds), with or without reimbursement. The non-Federal party provides funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, or other resources toward the conduct of specified R&D efforts that are consistent with the mission of the laboratory.

DoD offers distinct opportunities in environment and natural resources R&D:

• Cleanup : This category involves cost-effective methods and technologies for identifying, evaluating, and cleaning up DoD-related contaminated sites, including risk-based assessment methodologies to establish cleanup levels for future planned land use.
  Contact:
  John Cullinane
  601.634.3723 (voice)

• Compliance : This category involves development of cost- effective monitoring, control, treatment, and disposal technologies for DoD activities and their wastes, including risk assessment methods.
  Contact:
  Reid McAllister
  301.227.1527 (voice)

• Conservation : This technology thrust area involves developing and demonstrating cost-effective tools to enhance stewardship of DoD lands and installations, including natural and cultural resources, and maximizing availability of military land training use with minimal impact to natural and cultural resources.
  Contact:
  Winifred Hodge
  217.373.7294 (voice)

• Pollution Prevention : This R&D category involves the development and demonstration of techniques, methods, and processes to reduce or eliminate the creation of pollution from DoD activities, including use of alternative materials and handling and life cycle studies.
  Contact:
  T. Montoya
  513.255.3953 (voice)