PROPOSAL SUBMISSION & REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL

Grants Programs

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) is the only private, grant making institution with a national and international scope whose sole mission is to support solid waste research and education initiatives.  Our research grants program is led by our Research Council (Council), a body of volunteers consisting of technical experts in industry, academia and consulting.  The work of the Council is guided by a long range strategic plan with the goal to achieve greater sustainability, good environmental stewardship, higher process efficiency and increased knowledge.  The recommended projects are then reviewed by our Board of Directors Projects Committee for a final review and funding allocation.  Non-research oriented projects are reviewed and recommended to the Projects Committee by technical staff. 

Details on how to submit a proposal or pre-proposal can be found under the “Proposal Submission and RFP” section.  For a description of current and previously funded projects please refer to the “Funded Research” section.

Proposal Submission and RFP

Researchers are invited to submit proposals on solid waste management issues contained in EREF’s Strategic Research Plan or on educational projects.  EREF routinely assesses research needs within the solid waste field via the EREF’s Council, a committee comprised of industry stakeholders and academia.  General and/or targeted requests for proposals are generated at the request of the Council by EREF staff.  Grant proposals submitted in response to a posted RFP are considered solicited.  All other proposals are considered unsolicited.

Unless noted in a specific RFP, all non-research oriented proposals (e.g. educational projects) MUST follow the protocol for unsolicited proposals.

Proposals submitted in response to this RFP that do not address a specific topic in the research agenda will not be reviewed.  Projects and research previously funded by the Foundation can be viewed on EREF’s Web site.  Previously awarded grants have ranged from $15,000 to over $500,000 with the average grant being amount being $100,000. 

Request for Proposals - General Solid Waste Research

Proposals for solid waste research are requested that fit within the EREF’s Strategic Research Plan. To respond to this solicitation, please download the formal RFP for instructions and submittal criteria.  There are two annual deadlines for solicited proposal submissions:
    January 5
    July 15

Proposals will be accepted 10 days prior to the deadline dates listed above up to the close of business (5:00 p.m. eastern time) on the deadline date.  If not received by this time, proposals will not be considered.  Generally, a response regarding proposal status will be given within 45 - 60 days from the submittal date.  If any of the above dates fall on a weekend, then the deadline will be the Monday following the due date.

Request for Proposals - Sustainability Research

To respond to this solicitation for sustainable solid waste research, please download the formal RFP for instructions and submittal criteria.  Submissions of scientific research proposals related to sustainable solid waste management practices are invited in the following areas:
A. Waste minimization
B. Recycling
C. Waste conversion to energy, biofuels, chemicals or other useful products. This includes, but is not limited to, the following technologies:
    - Waste-to-energy
    - Pyrolysis/Gasification
    - Oxidation
    - Anaerobic digestion
    - Composting
D. Strategies to promote diversion from landfills (e.g. separating organics, market analysis, optimized material management, logistics, etc.)

Research related to landfills should be submitted under the General Solid Waste Research RFP.

There are two annual deadlines for solicited proposal submissions:
    January 5
    July 15

Proposals will be accepted 10 days prior to the deadline dates listed above up to the close of business (5:00 p.m. eastern time) on the deadline date.  If not received by this time, proposals will not be considered.  Generally, a response regarding proposal status will be given within 45 - 60 days from the submittal date.  If any of the above dates fall on a weekend, then the deadline will be the Monday following the due date.

Unsolicited Proposal Submission Guidelines

Unsolicited proposals consist of research projects or educational initiatives that fit within the EREF’s mission statement but may not fit within EREF’s Strategic Research Plan.  Any proposals for educational initiatives must be used to develop tools (e.g. software, websites, curricula, webinars, seminars, etc.) that specifically promote awareness or increase knowledge of the solid waste industry.  The development of tools to be used for commercial purposes, or that will be considered proprietary, will generally not be considered unless approved by the EREF a priori.  ALL unsolicited proposals must complete a pre-proposal application to be considered for funding.  Successful pre-proposals will then be invited to submit a full proposal.  Pre-proposal applications are not required for solicited proposals.  All decisions rendered on pre-proposal applications will be sent via email.

EREF has two submittal deadlines per year for unsolicited pre-proposals:
    October 1
    May 21

Pre-proposals will be accepted 10 days prior to the deadline dates listed above up to the close of business (5:00 p.m. eastern time) on the deadline date.  If not received by this time, proposals will not be considered.  Generally, a response regarding pre-proposal status will be given within ~30 days from the submittal date.  If any of the above dates fall on a weekend, then the deadline will be the Monday following the due date.  Successful pre-proposals will be given 45 - 60 days from the date of invitation to submit a full proposal for consideration.

Eligibility

EREF does not discriminate against any parties for any reason.

Funding Limits and Restrictions

Generally, awards will be made up to $500,000.

Funding will not be provided for capital campaigns, political contributions, religious causes, operating funds, loans, support of lobbying activities, or commercial product development. 

EREF will not pay indirect costs in excess of 25 percent.

Cost Sharing

Because the amount of funding for research is limited, the foundation encourages submitting parties to form partnerships with other funding sources (real-dollars or in-kind services).  Parties should identify the sources and amounts of external funding in their submissions.

Submissions/Questions

All proposals and pre-proposals shall be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word® or in portable document format (PDF) following the criteria provided.  Pre-proposal submissions that do not use the application form will not be reviewed.  Electronic submittals must be in a single document or PDF. Multiple files will not be accepted.

If a full electronic submittal is not possible, the submitter must contact the foundation before sending a hard copy.

Submittals and questions related to proposals should be directed to:

Bryan F. Staley, Ph.D., P.E.
President and Chief Executive Officer
919.861.6876 ext. 102
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)