Examples of Grants with Sustainability & Efficiency Requirements:
Biomedical Research Facilities - National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant Opportunity in US
United Kingdom (UK) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Strategic Capital Call 2020
NSF MRI - National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Grant in US (requires sharing)
NIH S10 - NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant in US (requires sharing)
- Shared research resources:
- “Targeted projects are the modernization of core facilities and the development of other infrastructure serving an institution-wide research community on a shared basis.”
- “Any facility supported by this FOA must serve a broad research community, locally at the applicant institution or regionally.”
- Renovation of existing space: “invites qualified institutions of higher education to seek funding to modernize and improve existing research facilities (e.g., laboratory space or animal facilities), or to construct new biomedical research space and furnish it with necessary fixed equipment.”
- Environmental: “How will the proposed repair, renovation, or modernization activity increase efficiency in the use of energy, water, and/or materials to reduce adverse effects on the environment?”
- Underserved/Underrepresented groups: “How likely is the proposed infrastructure improvement at an IEE to expand research capacity addressing problems of special relevance for underserved communities and underrepresented areas of science?”
United Kingdom (UK) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Strategic Capital Call 2020
- Diversity and Inclusion: "Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) should be appropriately considered in the design and planned use of the asset"
- Environment:
- "The proposal must adequately consider environmental impact; this includes demonstrable evidence that the potential of environmental harm from both procurement and ongoing operation has been considered. Considerations should include for example, energy use, conservation and management, asset lifecycle (e.g. end to end use, end of life opportunities, decommissioning). Evidence of actions taken to minimise potential harm and maximise benefit (e.g. actions taken to reduce carbon emissions) should also be clearly demonstrated."
- "The proposal must adequately consider environmental impact; this includes providing evidence that the design of built infrastructure has considered the potential of environmental harm from construction, where relevant, and ongoing operation. Considerations should include for example, power, waste heat, insulation, water conservation and management, and the extent to which development has considered zero carbon outputs. Evidence of actions taken to minimise potential harm and maximise benefit (e.g. actions taken to reduce carbon emissions) should also be clearly demonstrated."
- Equipment sharing:
- "Proposals should avoid duplication of equipment by determining whether the asset being requested is available for equipment sharing. Where the asset requested is a duplicate, a strong case must be made as to why the pre-existing asset is insufficient to meet required capability and/or user demand and why the asset outlined in the proposal should be funded. Applicants should refer to (1) the details of capital assets funded under previous strategic environmental science capital investments (under funding awards), (2) the national equipment database, (3) the UKRI Infraportal, and (4) other available equipment sharing databases"
- "Equipment must be made available to multiple users via equipment sharing and assets must be listed on the above-mentioned databases; multidisciplinary research on NERC funded capital equipment is welcomed."
- "Demonstrates a strategic and timely response to an evidenced community demand. The asset is important to multiple beneficiaries and it is clear how it fits in with others in existence at both the host institute and elsewhere. The proposal demonstrates clear, sensible plans with respect to how the asset will be utilised and/or shared amongst both internal and external users, including consideration of asset sharing to ensure long-term, sustainable improvements to the environmental research landscape"
- "If the asset is already available for equipment sharing in the UK, the panel will determine whether a credible justification has been made for an additional asset."
- Sustainability:
- "Sustainability (please refer to max. lines for each section below) a) What steps and considerations have been taken to ensure that the asset is as sustainable as possible (environmentally, economically and socially)? (max. 8 lines) b) How is the proposed asset complementary to NERC/host institute carbon reduction targets? Note: NERC Centres should detail how the project is complementary to the NERC commitment to have net zero emissions for all operations by 2040. Non-NERC funded applicants should note how the project complements the carbon reduction targets of the host organisation, where applicable, and state what this is (max. 5 lines). c) What is the expected lifetime of the asset? (max. 1 line) d) Will the proposed asset need to be decommissioned at any point, and if so, how will this be done sustainably? (max. 5 lines) e) How will you ensure maximum value for the lifetime of the asset? (max. 5 lines) f) How will the long-term operational and maintenance costs, including staffing, beyond the procurement stage and remit of this call will be funded? Clearly outline any additional financial support provided by the host institute or elsewhere (max. 5 lines). g) Will the proposed asset be integrated into an existing NERC service, facility, HEI equipment pool, or similar? If so, how? (max. 5 lines)"
- "Demonstrates full consideration of sustainability, including for the lifecycle of the asset. The proposal demonstrates consideration for preventing environmental harm and enhancing environmental benefit in line with the NERC Responsibility Statement. Responses should be proportional to the size and nature of the project and include evidence of actions taken to minimise carbon emissions;"
- "The proposal will likely demonstrate the asset’s capability to generate wide impacts including for example, social, environmental and/or economic benefits
NSF MRI - National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Grant in US (requires sharing)
- Serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations.
- Supports acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.
NIH S10 - NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant in US (requires sharing)
- Supports acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.
- Every instrument awarded by an S10 grant is used on a shared basis, which makes the programs cost-efficient and beneficial to thousands of investigators in hundreds of institutions nationwide.
- To be eligible for an S10 award, an institution must identify three or more Principal Investigators with active NIH research awards who demonstrate the substantial need for the requested instrument.
- Shared Instrumentation Grant (S1G) Program – PAR-21-127
- High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant Program – PAR-21-126
- Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program – PAR-21-125
Examples of Efficiency and Sustainability Requirements in Policy
- UKRI NERC Responsible Business Statement (from a United Kingdom funding body - includes environmental and social sustainability)
- NSF PAPPG (Proposal & Award Policies & Procedure Guide) - avoiding duplication and requiring sharing
- Section IX-4 Conditions for Acquisition, Use, and Disposition of Equipment
- "a. Grantee Assurance. The grantee will assure each purchase of equipment is:
(i) necessary for the research or activity supported by the grant;
(ii) not otherwise reasonably available and accessible;" - "d. Equipment Sharing. The equipment must be shared on other projects or programs in accordance
with 2 CFR § 200.313(c)(1)."
- "a. Grantee Assurance. The grantee will assure each purchase of equipment is:
- Section IX-4 Conditions for Acquisition, Use, and Disposition of Equipment
- US Code of Federal Regulations (Uniform Guidance)
- Title 2 CFR 200.313 c2: “During the time that equipment is used on the project or program for which it was acquired, the non-Federal entity must also make equipment available for use on other projects or programs currently or previously supported by the Federal Government, provided that such use will not interfere with the work on the projects or program for which it was originally acquired. First preference for other use must be given to other programs or projects supported by Federal awarding agency that financed the equipment and second preference must be given to programs or projects under Federal awards from other Federal awarding agencies. Use for non-federally-funded programs or projects is also permissible. User fees should be considered if appropriate.”
- Title 2 CFR 200.318 d: “The non-Federal entity's procedures must avoid acquisition of unnecessary or duplicative items. Consideration should be given to consolidating or breaking out procurements to obtain a more economical purchase. Where appropriate, an analysis will be made of lease versus purchase alternatives, and any other appropriate analysis to determine the most economical approach.”