EREF Research Grants Supporting Sustainable Materials Management

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) offers major private research funding in North America for projects advancing sustainable materials management. Its grants support research on greenhouse gas emissions, emerging contaminants, and materials circularity & recycling, with awards ranging from $15,000 to over $500,000.

What is the EREF Research Grant Program?

EREF funds research that addresses urgent environmental and waste management challenges.

Its current strategic research priorities are:

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Emerging Contaminants
Advancing Materials Circularity & Recycling

The program supports research that produces publicly available, unbiased results and contributes to better environmental practices and policies.

Funding Details

Previous grant range: $15,000 to $500,000+
Average grant amount: $160,000
Overhead cap: Up to 25% of direct costs
Cost sharing / external funding: Encouraged, but not required

Who is Eligible?

Applications are open to:

U.S. institutions
Non-U.S. institutions
Non-academic organizations

Requirements:

Principal investigators (PIs) must be qualified to conduct the research
Multi-institution proposals are allowed
Each PI may submit up to 2 pre-proposals per submission period

What Projects Are Supported?

EREF supports research that aligns with its environmental mission, especially projects related to:

Waste and materials management
Recycling systems
Circular economy solutions
Landfill and emissions research
Contaminant detection or mitigation
Sustainability-focused technical research

Educational components may also be considered if they strongly support EREF’s mission through:

Partnerships
Collaborations
Applied research impact

What Projects Are Not Usually Funded?

EREF generally does not fund:

Technology commercialization projects
Start-up support
Lobbying activities
Extremely narrow-scope projects

How the Application Process Works

The application process has two stages:

Submit a 2-page pre-proposal
This is reviewed by EREF staff and the Research Council.
If invited, submit a full proposal
Full proposals go through peer review by academic and non-academic experts.
Final funding decision
EREF’s Research Council recommends projects to the Board of Directors for final approval.

How to Apply

Check fit with EREF priorities
Make sure your project matches at least one strategic research area.
Prepare a strong 2-page pre-proposal
Clearly explain the problem, research plan, and expected impact.
Limit PI submissions
Each PI can submit up to 2 pre-proposals.
If invited, prepare the full proposal
Include detailed budget, methods, and any cost-sharing or in-kind support.
Submit through EREF’s official process
Follow all current deadlines and proposal rules.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting projects outside EREF’s priority areas
Proposing commercialization or start-up-focused work
Ignoring the 25% overhead cap
Sending weak pre-proposals without clear research impact
Failing to show how results will be publicly available and unbiased

FAQ

1. What are EREF’s main research priorities?
Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Emerging Contaminants, and Advancing Materials Circularity & Recycling.

2. How much funding does EREF provide?
Past grants range from $15,000 to over $500,000, with an average of $160,000.

3. Can non-U.S. institutions apply?
Yes, both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions are eligible.

4. Can non-academic organizations apply?
Yes, non-academic organizations may apply if the PI is qualified.

5. Is cost sharing required?
No, but it is encouraged.

6. What is the first step in the application process?
Submit a 2-page pre-proposal.

7. Are overhead costs allowed?
Yes, but overhead is capped at 25% of direct costs.

Conclusion

The EREF Research Grant Program is a valuable funding opportunity for institutions and researchers working on sustainable materials management. If your project addresses emissions, contaminants, recycling, or circularity, and can produce strong, public-interest research, this grant is worth serious consideration.