​What is BETR Grants? 

Bringing Efficiency To Research (BETR) Grants is an ongoing focus of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) University Alliance Group (UAG). 

Through BETR Grants, UAG aims to promote efficient spending of federal funds of academic research by effectively reducing the direct and overhead cost of research through efficient practices and facilities. The UAG believes that a systematic change towards efficient laboratories will ultimately help relieve the pressure of the current competitive funding environment, thereby allowing more science to be funded.

Suggested Topics to Include in Grant Proposals

As a first step in this systematic change, the UAG is calling for voluntary inclusion of a description of efficient practices and/or facilities into federal grant proposals.

Equipment Sharing

Space Utilization

Energy & Water Conservation

Lab Assessment & Other Areas

Help Your Grant Proposal Standout From the Others

Including information about how you and/or your campus incorporate efficiency into your research program may help your proposal stand out from others, especially in the current, highly competitive funding environment. 

Such language could be included in the:

• "Broader Impacts" section of NSF proposals
• "Budget Justification" sections
• "Resources and Environment" and/or "Resource Sharing Plans" sections of NIH proposals
• "Facilities and Other Resources" sections found in many agency proposals (section names may vary between agencies)

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