Research Grants - Environmental Research and Education Foundation
EREF grants support research advancing sustainable solid waste management, focusing on climate impacts, emerging contaminants, and materials circularity.
Funder: Environmental Research and Education Foundation
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Pre-proposal) | May 1, 2027 (Pre-proposal) | May 1, 2026 (Previous) | December 1, 2025 (Previous)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from $15,000 to $500,000 (average ~$160,000); project duration usually ~2 years, up to 3 years with strong justification.
Summary: Supports innovative research in sustainable solid waste management, with a focus on advancing knowledge and solutions for climate impacts, emerging contaminants, and materials circularity.
Description
The Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) offers one of North America's largest private funding programs for research in sustainable materials and solid waste management. The program funds rigorous, high-impact projects addressing key challenges in the field, including climate change impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, emerging contaminants (such as PFAS and microplastics), and advancing materials circularity and recycling. All funded research is made publicly available to further the field and inform policy and industry practice. Proposals are reviewed through a multi-stage process involving technical experts, a Research Council, and final approval by the Board of Directors.
