The report favorably reviews the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's competitive research grants program, finding that it has yielded significant new findings and knowledge critical for EPA's decision-making process. Established in 1995, the grants program was designed to enable the nation's best scientists and engineers to explore new ways to safeguard the environment and protect public health. The program awards about $100 million a year in grants and fellowships to independent investigators, multidisciplinary teams, and graduate students at universities and nonprofit institutions.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1. Introduction
2. Overview of the STAR Program
3. Competitive Grant Programs in Other Federal Agencies
4. Measure for Measure
5. Taking the Measure of STAR
Appendix A: Biographic Information on the Committee to Review EPA's Research Grants Program
Appendix B: Previous Reviews of the STAR Program
Appendix C: Performance Measures Used by Other Agencies and Organizations