Background
The objective of the GREAT-ER 1.0 was to develop and validate a powerful and accurate chemical exposure prediction tool for use within the EU environmental risk assessment schemes. The GREAT-ER database, model and software system was developed to calculate the distribution of predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) - both in space and time - of down the drain chemicals in European surface waters on a river and river basin level. The system uses Geographical Information Systems (GIS - ARCVIEW) for data storage and visualisation, combined with simple mathematical models for prediction of chemical fate. Additional information on GREAT-ER 1.0 can be obtained from ECETOC.
Objectives
Proposals
Proposals submitted for consideration should follow the format of the application form'Application for a CEFIC-LRI Grant' and should address the following areas under individual sub-headings:
- The title of the research proposal.
- The name and affiliation of the principal investigator and the laboratory or laboratories in which the research will be conducted.
- Evidence of the principal investigator's knowledge of, and contributions to, current understanding of database management, geo-referenced modelling and software developments.
- A clear definition of the research objectives, including a description of the proposed approach.
- A detailed plan of investigation, including a clearly defined milestone plan which identifies all critical decision points in the research programme.
- A detailed breakdown of costs.
Monitoring
The successful applicant(s) will be required to submit a progress report every 6 months during the course of the programme. At the end of the project a detailed review of the project and the achievements made will be provided by the principal investigator. The successful applicant or applicants will also be required to prepare for publication a manuscript describing the work undertaken and the results achieved.
Scope
Research proposals are requested to develop a Database Inventory/Repository; adaptation of GREAT-ER / ARCVIEW part; Intelligent Data Interface; Remote Method Invocation or CORBA which ultimately should allow GREAT-ER to be run in an application-server mode. Proposals will ideally build on the investigator's experience with database management, geo-referenced modelling and software developments. A three-year programme of work is anticipated.
