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TURI Issues Call for Grant Proposals

Contacts: Karen Angelo, 978-430-6303 or [email protected] or Felice Kincannon, 978-934-3346, [email protected].

April 20, 2016, Lowell, Mass. -- UMass Lowell’s Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) seeks grant proposals from Massachusetts businesses, community groups, municipalities and UMass researchers for projects that will reduce the use of toxic chemicals.

“Toxics Use Reduction involves preventing pollution at the source rather than controlling it once it has been generated,” said Deputy Director of TURI Liz Harriman. “Our goal with these grants is to create incentives for all organizations to use safer alternatives or change manufacturing processes that result in saving money and protecting health and the environment.”

The grant categories include:

  • Industry Grants of up to $30,000 are intended for manufacturing facilities to improve processes or install technology that results in reducing toxics. Preference is for companies with 10 or more full-time employees that use listed toxic chemicals.
  • Small Business Grants of up to $10,000 are intended for businesses that provide services directly to consumers. For example, dry cleaners, nail and hair salons, auto and tire repair shops, bathtub refinishers and other small businesses that are willing to replace toxics with safer alternatives are encouraged to apply.
  • Community Grants of up to $20,000 for regional or statewide projects and $10,000 for local projects. The types of organizations that can apply include, but are not limited to, municipal governments, community and environmental organizations, youth organizations, housing authorities and school districts.
  • Academic Research Grants of up to $25,000 are available to UMass faculty and their graduate students to partner with Massachusetts companies on researching safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.

Visit the TURI website at www.turi.org/grants for more details on eligibility, project examples and past grantees. Applications are due on Friday, June 17, 2016. Awardees will be notified in August.

Projects that Reduce Higher Hazard Substances Preferred, Not Required

Project proposals that reduce chemicals designated as “Higher Hazard Substances” will be given priority, although a focus on these chemicals is not a requirement for funding. This designation provides direction to help Massachusetts companies and communities focus toxics use reduction efforts on those chemicals that pose the most serious threats to health and the environment. Review the chemical lists.

About the Toxics Use Reduction Institute

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell provides resources and tools to help make the Commonwealth a safer place to live and work. Established by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) of 1989, TURI collaborates with businesses, community organizations, government agencies and academia to reduce the use of toxic chemicals, protect public health and the environment and increase competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. From 1990 to 2013, Massachusetts companies have reduced toxic chemical use by 48 percent, waste by 77 percent and on-site releases by 91 percent. Visit www.turi.org