Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA G2022 STAR E1
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity through its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program to fund research focused on reducing consumer, or household, food waste in the United States. The core goal is prevention in real-world household settings, meaning the research should help households generate less uneaten food in the first place. This is explicitly not about food redistribution (for example, diverting surplus food to food banks after it is already unwanted). Instead, the emphasis is on reducing the amount of food that enters the waste stream by changing the upstream decisions and behaviors that lead to edible food being discarded.
The EPA is looking for cutting-edge, transdisciplinary projects that combine multiple fields in a meaningful way. The solicitation highlights disciplines such as behavioral science, psychology, economics, public health, and sociology, signaling that the agency wants proposals that go beyond a single-lens approach. Competitive applications will likely connect insights about human behavior and decision-making (how people shop, plan meals, perceive food safety, interpret date labels, and manage leftovers) with broader social and economic factors (household constraints, cultural norms, access to storage and transportation, time scarcity, and the influence of pricing and promotions). The intention is to support research that does not just describe the problem, but designs and tests practical solutions that households can realistically adopt.
A key requirement is that projects develop, apply, and test innovative and creative methods using community-engaged approaches. In practice, this means applicants should work with communities as partners, not simply as study subjects. Community engagement can include co-designing interventions with residents, collaborating with local organizations, tailoring strategies to local contexts, and ensuring the work is grounded in how households actually live and make decisions. The research is expected to be tested in real-world settings rather than purely in lab or simulated environments, which points toward field trials, community pilots, or other applied evaluation designs that can show measurable reductions in household food waste.
In terms of award details, this is a grant (not a contract) under funding opportunity number EPA G2022 STAR E1, within the environmental funding activity category and CFDA 66.509. The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $750,000, and the EPA anticipates making two awards. The opportunity was created on December 9, 2021, with an original closing date of February 9, 2022, and applicants are directed to the announcement (especially Section IV) for submission requirements and eligibility clarifications. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with details provided in the full announcement, suggesting that nontraditional or varied applicant types may be able to apply depending on the specific criteria in the eligibility section.
Overall, the grant is designed to produce tested, evidence-based strategies that prevent edible food from being wasted at home, using rigorous research methods and interdisciplinary thinking, while also ensuring the interventions are shaped by and workable for the communities they are meant to serve.Apply for EPA G2022 STAR E1
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RESEARCH TO REDUCE CONSUMER FOOD WASTE IN THE UNITED STATES" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.509.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 09, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 09, 2022 Please see Section IV of the announcement for additional submission information. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this EPA grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary research grant opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. It supports research projects focused on reducing consumer (household) food waste in the United States.
What is the main goal of the funded research?
The core goal is prevention in real-world household settings: helping households generate less uneaten food in the first place. The focus is on changing upstream decisions and behaviors so less edible food ends up being discarded and entering the waste stream.
Is this funding for food redistribution (like donating surplus food to food banks)?
No. The opportunity explicitly states it is not about food redistribution after food is already unwanted. The emphasis is on preventing edible food from becoming waste at the household level.
What types of research approaches is EPA looking for?
EPA is looking for cutting-edge, transdisciplinary research that meaningfully combines multiple fields. Competitive projects are expected to go beyond describing the problem and instead design and test practical, adoptable solutions that measurably reduce household food waste.
What disciplines does the solicitation highlight?
The solicitation highlights disciplines such as behavioral science, psychology, economics, public health, and sociology. Projects that connect behavior and decision-making with broader social and economic factors are implied to be strongly aligned.
What household behaviors and decisions might the research address?
The opportunity points to behavior and decision-making areas including how people shop, plan meals, perceive food safety, interpret date labels, and manage leftovers, with the intent of reducing edible food being discarded.
What broader factors should proposals consider alongside behavior?
The solicitation signals interest in social and economic context, such as household constraints, cultural norms, access to storage and transportation, time scarcity, and the influence of pricing and promotions.
What does "community-engaged approaches" mean in this opportunity?
It means communities should be engaged as partners rather than treated only as study subjects. Examples described include co-designing interventions with residents, collaborating with local organizations, tailoring strategies to local contexts, and grounding the work in how households actually live and make decisions.
Does the research need to be tested outside of a lab?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes testing in real-world settings rather than purely lab or simulated environments. This points toward field trials, community pilots, or other applied evaluation designs that can demonstrate measurable reductions in household food waste.
What kind of outcomes is EPA expecting from funded projects?
The grant is designed to produce tested, evidence-based strategies that prevent edible food from being wasted at home. The expectation is that projects will apply rigorous methods and show practical, measurable results in household settings.
Is this a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant (not a contract).
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA)?
The funding opportunity number listed is EPA G2022 STAR E1.
What program is offering the funding?
The opportunity is offered through EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 66.509.
What funding activity category does this fall under?
The opportunity is listed under the environmental funding activity category.
How much funding is available per award?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $750,000.
How many awards does EPA expect to make?
EPA anticipates making two awards.
When was this opportunity created, and what were the listed dates?
The opportunity was created on December 9, 2021. The original closing date listed is February 9, 2022.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with details provided in the full announcement. Applicants are directed to the announcement (especially Section IV) for submission requirements and eligibility clarifications, indicating eligibility may include nontraditional or varied applicant types depending on the specific criteria.
Where should applicants look for submission requirements and eligibility details?
Applicants are directed to the full announcement, especially Section IV, for submission requirements and eligibility clarifications.
What makes an application likely to be competitive based on the description?
Based on the description, competitive applications will likely (1) be transdisciplinary, (2) connect household behaviors with broader social/economic drivers, (3) use innovative and creative methods, (4) meaningfully engage communities as partners, and (5) test interventions in real-world settings with measurable reductions in household food waste.
What is the geographic focus of the research?
The research focus is on reducing consumer, or household, food waste in the United States.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) Program, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.015B
Previous opportunity: Procurement Technical Assistance Program - New Applicants
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for EPA G2022 STAR E1
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA G2022 STAR E1) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Region 10 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG10 WPDG 22 01 Funding Number: EPA REG10 WPDG 22 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll-a Components Apply for EPA R5 GL2022 PC Funding Number: EPA R5 GL2022 PC Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring for Communities Apply for EPA OAR OAQPS 22 01 Funding Number: EPA OAR OAQPS 22 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2022 Request for Applications for Bay Journal Support Apply for EPA R3 CBP 22 01 Funding Number: EPA R3 CBP 22 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,142,000 |
| Schofield Barracks Vegetation Mgmt & Berm Maint Range Division Hawaii, Integrated Training Area Management Apply for W911KB 22 2 0001 Funding Number: W911KB 22 2 0001 Agency: Department of Defense, Alaska District Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,550,542 |
| Addressing Ocean Plastics in Peru Apply for 72052722RFI00002 Funding Number: 72052722RFI00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Peru USAID-Lima Category: Environment Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Annual Program Statement – Public Diplomacy Programs with Chile Apply for PAS STG FY22A Funding Number: PAS STG FY22A Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Chile Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| DRIVERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES Apply for EPA G2022 STAR F2 Funding Number: EPA G2022 STAR F2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,125,000 |
| DRIVERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES Apply for EPA G2022 STAR F1 Funding Number: EPA G2022 STAR F1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,125,000 |
| Puget Sound Action Agenda – Tribal Implementation Lead 2.0 Apply for EPA I R10 PS 2022 001 Funding Number: EPA I R10 PS 2022 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| INNOVATIVE WATER TECHNOLOGIES FOR LAGOON WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN SMALL COMMUNITIES Apply for EPA G2022 ORD G1 Funding Number: EPA G2022 ORD G1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY 2022 - FY2023 POLLUTION PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW Apply for EPA I OCSPP OPPT FY2022 001 Funding Number: EPA I OCSPP OPPT FY2022 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| FY 2022 - FY2023 POLLUTION PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM Apply for EPA HQ OPPT 2022 001 Funding Number: EPA HQ OPPT 2022 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Reduction in Lead Exposure Via Drinking Water Apply for EPA OW OGWDW 21 02 Funding Number: EPA OW OGWDW 21 02 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Beale Wildland Fire Management Technical Support Apply for W911KB 22 2 0006 Funding Number: W911KB 22 2 0006 Agency: Department of Defense, Alaska District Category: Environment Funding Amount: $817,100 |
| Fiscal Year 2022 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice Apply for EPA OMS 22 01 Funding Number: EPA OMS 22 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| 2022 LEAD PIPE INVENTORY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM Apply for EPA R1 PB 2022 Funding Number: EPA R1 PB 2022 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Oregon State Conservation Innovation Grant Program Apply for USDA NRCS OR CIG 22 NOFO0001176 Funding Number: USDA NRCS OR CIG 22 NOFO0001176 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| 2022 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM Apply for EPA R1 HC 2022 Funding Number: EPA R1 HC 2022 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for EPA OP OEJ 22 01 Funding Number: EPA OP OEJ 22 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "EPA G2022 STAR E1", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.