Format requirements

• Please organize your proposal using the section titles described below, including in the Project Scope.
• Proposal text will be 12 point and Times New Roman font; single-spaced; and have 1-inch page margins.
• The Project Scope is limited to three pages.
• Use the ORA Budget Template Excel file to create your budget (upload budget into the submission form in this file format).

Project Title

Names of the PI, Co-PI, and Collaborators

• PI must be a UMaine employee. Co-PIs may be part the UMaine System or external organizations.
• A PI or Co-PI may be written into a maximum of two proposals

Proposed start and end dates of the project

• Earliest start date: February 2025
• Latest end date/final report due by: September 30, 2027

Project abstract (200-word limit)

Introduction

• A brief overview of the project and objectives
• Explain the need for the proposed research and how the project will address PFAS contamination

Project Scope (three-page limit, not including references)

The project must enhance the understanding of impacts or sources of PFAS contamination and/or remediation that can support strategy and management decisions to benefit farmers, citizens, and the Maine economy. Include a detailed description of the area(s) affected by PFAS contamination (e.g. agriculture, crops, animals, wildlife, remediation, etc.) and the implications on food systems, specific contaminants of concern (e.g. total PFAS, legacy chemicals such as PFOS/ PFOA, other target PFAS, etc.), and desired outcomes and goals of the project. Projects must have outcomes that relate to food systems.

We will use the evaluation parameters listed below to identify research proposals that have the greatest potential to advance understanding of PFAS contamination, inform decision-making, and benefit farmers, citizens, and the economy of Maine.

Describe how the proposed project will consider the criteria listed below. Please organize your project scope into the following sections:

• Relevance to PFAS Contamination in Maine:
  Address how this research fills critical gaps in understanding PFAS contamination in various environmental matrices (water, soil, air, etc.), its impact on agricultural and food systems, human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the overall economy of Maine. The review committee will give preference to projects that align with the following research needs proposed by the Maine DACF PFAS Fund:
  • PFAS in Agricultural Settings: Water, Soil, and Plant Studies
  • PFAS in Agricultural Settings: Animals and Animal Product Studies
  • Understanding and Managing PFAS in On-Farm Agricultural Settings and Products
  • Remediation of PFAS-Contaminated Land and Suitable Uses of PFAS-Contaminated Agricultural Land and Products
    
    If research will address other state, federal, or community priorities, include an explanation in the project scope.

• Potential Impact:
  What are the measurable impacts and outcomes of the research on informing decision-making processes related to PFAS management strategies, exposure or risk assessment, contamination prevention, and remediation efforts? Projects must focus on enhancing the understanding of impacts or sources of PFAS contamination and/or remediation.
  
  Applicants are encouraged to consider PFAS contamination prevention, but it is not required. Proposals addressing two or more of these elements will be prioritized.

• External Partner/Community Engagement:
  Describe the involvement of or meaningful engagement with external partners and/or the community. For example, engagement with stakeholders, including farmers, local communities, regulatory agencies, and business and industry partners.

• Interdisciplinary Approach:
  Proposals are encouraged to adopt an interdisciplinary approach.

• Innovation and Novelty:
  Address how this research is innovative and novel.

• Sustainability and Future Funding:
  Examine how the research will provide solutions and how this research will lead to future proposals and funding sources. This can include proposals in process.

• Dissemination, Knowledge Transfer and Outreach:
  Describe your plans for disseminating research findings, sharing data, and engaging with relevant external partners and communities to facilitate knowledge transfer and ensure that research outcomes are accessible and actionable for decision-makers, practitioners, and the broader community.

Budget Justification

• Note that applicants will not use PARS for proposal preparation or submission. However, applicants will use ORA’s guidance and templates to demonstrate a budget.
• Use the ORA Budget Template (Excel) to complete your budget
  • Please ensure to review UMaine’s budget guidance documents:
    • Guide to Budget Preparation (PDF)
    • ORA’s Proposal Toolkit
    • Please ensure the total direct cost does not exceed $250,000 (Row 53, Column I).
      • Note that the budget template will automatically calculate indirect costs for use by ORA. However, indirect funds have already been deducted from the larger grant and will not be deducted for individual projects.
• Allowable Budget Categories
  • In general, please refer to the ORA Budget Justification Template (PDF)
  • PFAS analysis per sample (no group rate available; the PFAS Analytical and Detection Center should be operational by mid-summer 2025)
  • Summer salary (one week per year) and associated fringe benefits
  • Salary offset for up to one month per year plus associated fringe benefits
  • Graduate student funding
    • The EPA terms and conditions state that “EPA funds for this program may only be used for participant support cost payments, scholarships, tuition remission and other forms of student aid for citizens of the United States, its territories, or possessions, or for individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.”
• Capital Assets equipment costs (refer to the UMaine Guidelines for general accounting for capital assets)
  • Fabrication allowed
  • Equipment over $75k will need approval prior to full proposal submission
  • Please obtain and submit current quotes for equipment as appendices
• Funds for collaboration with external partners may be budgeted as subawards. If the collaborator will also analyze samples, you may combine sample analysis costs with other collaboration costs into one subaward.
  • Include a Subrecipient Commitment Form (PDF) and a budget from the partner institution in your proposal packet.
  • Subrecipient’s Indirect Cost Rate. EPA’s subaward policy guidance (PDF) includes the following information on subrecipient indirect costs: “The indirect cost rate [for a subrecipient] may be a rate negotiated and approved by the subrecipient’s cognizant Federal agency. If the subrecipient does not have a Federal indirect cost rate, the pass-through entity may negotiate an indirect cost rate with the subrecipient that complies with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E or use the 10% de-minimis indirect cost rate described at 2 CFR 200.414(f).“
• Goods and professional services/ contracts (i.e. sample analyses) will also be allowed without a limit, though if over $10K, it will become a competitive procurement process.

Project Timeline

• Describe the expected timeline for completion of proposal objectives. Include a Gantt Chart.

Contact Information:

• Name, title, and contact information (email and phone number) of the point of contact for the proposal.

Appendices

• Please attach any additional relevant information or supporting documents (e.g. equipment quotes).