Introduction

The mission of the University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES) is to enhance the research capacity focused on exposure to environmental contaminants in the air and water, as well emerging environmental health threats (e.g., climate change) that have been implicated in chronic diseases such as heart and lung disease, cancer, diabetes, and child health and early life exposures. UK-CARES supports community residents and organizations in Southeastern Kentucky communities to grow partnerships with UK faculty to engage in citizen science by exploring how exposure to environmental contaminants and emerging environmental threats affect health, prevention and treatment of environmentally-induced diseases.

Who Should Apply?

Community organizations, local health departments, healthcare entities, non-profit agencies, and schools (K-12, community and technical colleges, and universities) located within the 21-county area: Big Sandy (Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties), Kentucky River (Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties) and Cumberland Valley (Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley counties) Area Development Districts.  The participant’s organization must have 501c3 status or a designated lead fiscal agency (health agency or non-profit) to receive and manage the monetary award. Applicants must have at least one University of Kentucky faculty collaborator on the proposed project.

Funding Details

Awardees will receive up to $10,000 plus indirect costs (the organization can use their Federal negotiated rate or if they don’t have one they can request a maximum of 10% per Uniform Guidance) to provide a service to the public by supporting community-engaged environmental health projects.