Indoor Air Research Award for Scientific Innovation (United States)

The American Lung Association Indoor Air Research Award supports innovative research projects that improve understanding of how indoor air quality affects respiratory health. The programme provides funding of up to US$100,000 per year for Independent Researchers and US$50,000 per year for Mentored Researchers to develop solutions, interventions, and policies that create healthier indoor environments.

About the Indoor Air Research Award

The Indoor Air Research Award is offered by the American Lung Association to support scientific research focused on improving indoor air quality and reducing health risks caused by indoor air pollution.

The programme aims to advance research that helps create healthier indoor environments in:

• Homes.
• Schools.
• Workplaces.
• Healthcare facilities.
• Other indoor spaces.

The award supports studies that can lead to practical solutions, public health strategies, and policies that protect people, especially those living with or at risk of lung disease.

Purpose of the Research Award

The main goal of the programme is to strengthen scientific knowledge about the relationship between indoor air quality and respiratory health.

The award supports research that:

• Examines health effects of indoor air pollution.
• Develops methods to improve indoor environments.
• Creates evidence-based interventions.
• Supports public health policies.
• Improves protection for vulnerable populations.

Key Research Areas Supported

Projects may focus on different aspects of indoor air quality, including:

Indoor Air Pollution and Health Effects

Research may study:

• Effects of pollutants inside buildings.
• Links between indoor air exposure and respiratory diseases.
• Risks for people with asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions.
• Long-term health impacts of poor indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality Improvement Strategies

Projects may explore:

• Air purification methods.
• Ventilation improvements.
• Pollution reduction techniques.
• Healthy building practices.
• Indoor environmental interventions.

Indoor Air Monitoring Technologies

Research may develop or evaluate:

• Air quality sensors.
• Monitoring systems.
• Data collection methods.
• New technologies for identifying indoor pollutants.

Community-Based Solutions

The programme supports research that helps communities:

• Understand indoor air risks.
• Adopt healthier practices.
• Improve indoor environments.
• Reduce health inequalities.

Funding Information

The Indoor Air Research Award provides funding for up to three years.

Funding categories include:

Independent Researchers

Eligible researchers may receive:

• Up to US$100,000 per year.

Mentored Researchers

Eligible early-career researchers may receive:

• Up to US$50,000 per year.

Funding is subject to annual progress reviews.

Eligible Use of Funds

Grant funding may support:

• Researcher salaries.
• Research staff costs.
• Laboratory expenses.
• Equipment.
• Research datasets.
• Project-related expenses.
• Other eligible research activities.

Who is Eligible?

The programme supports two categories of researchers:

Independent Researchers

Applicants must:

• Hold a doctoral degree.
• Have a full-time faculty or equivalent research position.
• Be affiliated with an academic institution or nonprofit research organisation.
• Demonstrate independent research experience.

Mentored Researchers

Applicants must:

• Hold a relevant doctoral degree.
• Be affiliated with a recognised academic or nonprofit research institution.
• Be an early-career investigator.
• Receive guidance and mentorship from experienced researchers.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Postdoctoral fellows.
• Medical fellows.
• Researchers completing mentored research training.

Research Topics Supported

Applicants may propose research related to:

• Indoor air pollution exposure.
• Respiratory health outcomes.
• Indoor environmental interventions.
• Healthy housing solutions.
• Workplace indoor air quality.
• School indoor air environments.
• Air quality monitoring tools.
• Behavioural factors affecting indoor air quality.
• Economic factors influencing indoor air improvements.
• Community health approaches.
• Public policy development.

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Develop a Research Proposal

Applicants should prepare a proposal explaining:

• The indoor air quality challenge.
• Research objectives.
• Scientific methods.
• Expected health impact.
• Practical applications.

Step 2: Select Research Category

Applicants should apply as either:

• Independent Researcher.
• Mentored Researcher.

Step 3: Conduct Research Activities

Selected researchers use funding to:

• Collect and analyse data.
• Develop interventions.
• Test solutions.
• Generate evidence for policy and practice.

Step 4: Report Progress

Award recipients must provide progress updates and demonstrate research achievements according to programme requirements.

Why Indoor Air Research Matters

People spend a significant amount of time indoors, making indoor air quality an important public health issue.

Poor indoor air quality can contribute to:

• Respiratory illnesses.
• Increased asthma symptoms.
• Lung disease complications.
• Reduced quality of life.

Research supported through this programme can help develop safer indoor environments and improve respiratory health outcomes.

Benefits of the Award

Successful researchers can gain:

• Financial support for innovative studies.
• Opportunity to advance respiratory health research.
• Resources for equipment and research activities.
• Support for policy-relevant discoveries.
• Recognition in the lung health research community.

Tips for Applicants

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the health importance of the research.
• Highlight innovation and practical impact.
• Connect research findings with real-world solutions.
• Explain how the project benefits people affected by lung disease.
• Provide a strong research methodology.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing research without a clear health connection.
• Focusing only on technology without explaining outcomes.
• Ignoring vulnerable populations.
• Providing unclear research objectives.
• Failing to demonstrate practical applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Indoor Air Research Award?

The Indoor Air Research Award is a research funding programme by the American Lung Association that supports studies improving indoor air quality and respiratory health.

How much funding is available?

Independent Researchers can receive up to US$100,000 per year, while Mentored Researchers can receive up to US$50,000 per year for up to three years.

Who can apply for the award?

Researchers with relevant doctoral degrees working at academic or nonprofit research institutions can apply.

What research areas are supported?

The programme supports research on indoor air pollution, health effects, monitoring technologies, interventions, and community-based solutions.

Can early-career researchers apply?

Yes. Mentored Researchers, including eligible postdoctoral and medical fellows, can apply.

Can funding be used for equipment and research staff?

Yes. Eligible expenses may include equipment, research personnel, datasets, salaries, and other research-related costs.

Why does indoor air quality research matter?

Indoor air pollution can affect respiratory health, and research helps develop strategies to create safer homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Conclusion

The American Lung Association Indoor Air Research Award provides critical support for researchers working to improve indoor environments and protect respiratory health. By funding innovative studies on indoor air pollution, monitoring systems, and practical interventions, the programme helps create evidence-based solutions that benefit individuals, communities, and public health systems.

Researchers developing impactful solutions for healthier indoor spaces are encouraged to use this opportunity to advance scientific discovery and improve lung health outcomes.