Office of Research and Development
Research Frameworks
Air, Climate and Energy (ACE) will build upon the research the Agency has conducted in the areas of air pollution and climate change. EPA is designing the ACE research program to address the increasingly complex environmental issues we face in the 21st century.
Air, Climate, and Energy Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) (PDF) (45 pp, 1.45MB)
Air, Climate, and Energy Research Framework Document (PDF) (25 pp, 4.8 MB)
Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) will enhance the scientific approach for evaluating the safety of chemicals and products in a manner that allows for consideration of society’s current demands, and does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The ultimate goal is to ensure safety in the design, manufacture, and use of new and existing chemicals.
Chemical Safety for Sustainability Research Framework Document (PDF) (2 pp, 61KB)
The Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) was established to conduct research that will increase the capability of EPA to carry out its homeland security responsibilities. EPA holds specific responsibilities to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters including acts of terrorism. Homeland Security research is conducted so that the results can be applied to a broad set of environmental disasters.
Homeland Security Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) (PDF) (29 pp, 3.39MB)
Homeland Security Framework Document (PDF) (15 pp, 1.6 MB)
Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) provides human health assessments for existing chemicals and chemical mixtures that find their way into our air, water, and land. The HHRA program plays a unique role in serving the needs of EPA programs by incorporating, integrating, and coordinating the use of scientific information as a foundation for regulatory decision making.
Human Health Risk Assessment Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) (PDF) (43 pp, 1.07MB)
Human Health Risk Assessment Framework Document (PDF) (30 pp, 1.4 MB)
The Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Program (SHCRP) will inform and empower decision‐makers to equitably weigh and integrate human health, socio‐economic, environmental, and ecological factors to foster community sustainability. SHCRP will conduct research to provide information, approaches, and tools to help decision‐makers assess current conditions, evaluate implications, and identify indicators to measure results of the programs and policies that they select.
Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Framework Document (PDF) (2 pp, 60KB)
The Safe and Sustainable Water Resources (SSWR) research program will strive to develop sustainable solutions to 21st century water resource problems by integrating research on social, environmental, and economic outcomes to provide lasting solutions. The SSWR research program seeks to develop sustainable solutions while ensuring that clean, adequate and equitable supplies of water are available to support human well-being and aquatic ecosystems, now and in the future.
Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) (PDF) (39 pp, 1.09MB)
Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Framework Document (PDF) (2 pp, 60KB)