Apply Now: TURI Grants Available to Reduce Toxic Chemical Use
Contacts: Karen Angelo, 978-430-6303, Felice Kincannon, 978-934-3346
May 11, 2017, 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 (TUR) is about preventing pollution at the source rather than controlling it after it’s generated. Past project examples include a body shop that switched to a water-based paint gun cleaner so that solvent use was reduced, a biotech firm that installed new technology that allowed it to use safer substances in manufacturing, a cleaning cooperative that trained workers to make their own cleaning products from safer ingredients and towns that switched from using pesticides on lawns to organic lawn care.
“We are looking for innovative ideas to reduce toxic chemical use in communities, businesses, towns and cities,” says TURI Deputy Director Liz Harriman. “Grant funds can be used to augment the cost of technology, safer products, workshops and research into new materials and equipment.”
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 given to companies with 10 or more full-time employees that use listed toxic chemicals. Learn more and download the grant application.
Small Business Grants of up to $10,000 are intended for businesses that provide services directly to consumers. For example, dry cleaners, restaurants, auto repair and tire shops, bathtub refinishers and other small businesses that replace toxics with safer alternatives are encouraged to apply. Learn more and download the application.
Community Grants of up to $20,000 are available for regional or statewide projects and up to $10,000 for local projects. The types of organizations that can apply include, but are not limited to, municipal governments, environmental and community organizations, youth organizations, housing authorities and school districts. Learn more and download the application.
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. Learn more and download the request for proposals.
Visit the TURI website at www.turi.org/grants for more details on eligibility, project examples and grant applications. Applications for the Academic Research grants are due on Friday, June 16, 2017. Applications for the Industry, Small Business and Community grants are due on Friday, June 23, 2017. Awardees will be notified in August.
Projects that Reduce Higher Hazard Substances Preferred
Project proposals for business, industry, and research grants 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 more 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.