TURI Seeks Grant Proposals that Aim to Reduce Toxic Chemical Use

05/07/2021
By Joel Tickner and Greg Morose

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell seeks grant proposals from faculty that aim to identify safer and commercially viable alternatives to toxic chemicals. View the request for proposals and submit an application no later than June 25, 2021.

The TURI Academic Research Grant program funds UMass faculty and their graduate students to work in partnership with Massachusetts companies. We’ve identified the following companies that are looking for research help.

• Ideal Tape (Lowell, MA): Research safer solvents to replace the use of toluene in manufacturing of adhesives.
• Johnson Matthey (Devens, MA): Research safer solvents to replace the use of methylene chloride in manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
• Raytheon Technologies: (Andover, MA): Research safer solvents to replace the use of methylene chloride in conformal coating stripping operations.
• Transene Company (Danvers, MA): Research safer chemicals to replace the use of PFAS as a surfactant.

You are also welcome to initiate your own toxics use reduction project in partnership with a Massachusetts company.

The maximum funding amount for each research project is $25,000 for a one-year project, or $35,000 for a two-year project, with the bulk of the funding compensating graduate students actively involved in the research.

Many researchers who were funded by the TURI Academic Research program have applied for patents, published journal articles and won larger grants based on the results. Learn more on the TURI website.