Viral Pathogen and Surrogate Approaches for Assessing Treatment Performance in Water Reuse
EPA-G2021-STAR-A1
EPA link   https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/viral-pathogen-and-surrogate-approaches-assessing-treatment-performance-water-reuse

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing to conduct research on existing and novel surrogates for the detection and monitoring of the presence of human enteric viral pathogens and surrogates in water reuse applications, where wastewater is the source water.
A high-priority research area identified by the EPA Office of Research and Development is to expand the understanding of the human health risks posed by pathogenic human enteric viruses in water reuse applications, where wastewater is the source water. EPA is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) to support research into the development of standardized approaches to identify, characterize, and validate suitable viral surrogates and enumeration methods for quantifying the potential human health risks posed by the levels of human enteric viral pathogens found in reclaimed wastewater. Information on the concentrations of infectious viral pathogens relative to the concentrations of viral surrogates is also needed. Additionally, data on the inactivation or removal of viral pathogens and surrogates are needed to: 1) establish and verify viral pathogen log-reduction values for individual unit treatment processes and through treatment trains, 2) inform monitoring, and 3) optimize treatment train performance.

11/25/2020:  EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses   https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses
Deadline extended to 1/13/2021