The Measure of STAR : Review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Research Grants Program

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 ContentsFront MatterSummary1. Introduction2. Overview of the STAR Program3. Competitive Grant Programs in Other Federal Agencies4. Measure for Measure5. Taking the Measure of STARAppendix A: Biographic Information on the Committee to Review EPA's Research Grants ProgramAppendix B: Previous Reviews of the STAR ProgramAppendix C: Performance Measures Used by Other Agencies and Organizations