The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) has announced that applications for the EPIC Air Quality Fund! This fund offers a unique opportunity for organisations to secure financial support for air quality monitoring projects that aim to generate actionable data and create a lasting national impact. EPIC will award grants to 10-15 selected groups, with funding amounts ranging from approximately $50,000 for lower-cost sensors to $75,000 or more for regulatory-grade or reference-grade equipment.
Projects funded by the EPIC Air Quality Fund are expected to last 18 months. During this time, awardees will collect and share critical PM2.5 data and implement strategies to influence national air quality policies or raise public awareness. Depending on the availability of resources, successful projects may be considered for additional funding in subsequent years.
Applications are due by 11:59 PM local time on September 10, 2024.
Why Is the EPIC Air Quality Fund Needed?
Air quality is a critical issue that directly impacts public health, yet many regions around the world still lack the necessary data to address it effectively. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is particularly harmful, contributing to severe health problems, including respiratory and heart conditions. Despite the significant risks, nearly 40% of countries do not have access to comprehensive air quality monitoring, leaving large populations vulnerable to the effects of pollution.
This data gap makes it challenging for governments and organisations to implement policies tackling air pollution effectively. Without reliable, real-time information, efforts to improve air quality are often based on incomplete or outdated data, which limits their effectiveness and impact.
The EPIC Air Quality Fund is designed to bridge this gap by providing crucial financial support to organisations that can establish robust air quality monitoring systems. By focusing on areas with the greatest need for data, this fund empowers local organisations to collect and openly share air quality information, enabling informed decision-making and policy development. This is a great opportunity to make a difference if you’re part of an organisation.
Eligibility Criteria
Organisation Type: Open to governmental and non-governmental organisations, including universities, non-profits, for-profits, NGOs, and CSOs. Applicants must be legally authorised and have a bank account capable of receiving funds from a U.S. institution. Individuals must partner with an eligible organisation.
Country Eligibility: Applications are welcome from all countries except those on the U.S. Department of State’s “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list (Cuba, DPRK, Iran and Syria). Priority is given to projects in 75 countries identified by EPIC as having significant potential to improve PM2.5 data. Applicants must ensure that it’s legal to operate PM2.5 monitoring equipment and share data publicly in their country.
Selection Criteria
Country Priority: Preference is given to projects in the 75 priority countries where monitoring efforts can have a national-level impact.
Project Impact: The project must aim to generate and share outdoor PM2.5 data over 12 months and target a national-level impact on clean air initiatives within 18 months.
Data Transparency: Applicants must commit to open access for all collected air quality data, adhering to EPIC’s data sharing and transparency guidelines.
National-Level Impact: Projects should go beyond data collection, aiming to create systemic change in how air pollution is addressed at the national level, such as influencing policy or raising public awareness.
Experience and Longevity: Preference is given to applicants with a proven track record in air quality or related fields or those with a solid plan to quickly develop the necessary expertise. A long-term commitment to air quality monitoring is also favored.
Team Capability: Applicants should demonstrate the ability to assemble a team capable of achieving national-level impact and effectively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to extend the project’s influence beyond data collection.
Have further questions? Please refer to EPIC’s FAQs for more information.
Monitor Requirements
All applicants must make a plan for the grant, including deciding which air quality monitors to use in your network.
The monitors used in projects funded by the EPIC Air Quality Fund must meet specific requirements to ensure data accuracy, transparency, and accessibility. Here are the key requirements:
Data Ownership and Sharing: Monitors must allow the user (the awardee) to own the data generated. This means the organisation must be able to share the data publicly and programmatically freely.
The data must be made available under a CC-BY-4.0 license, which permits others to open access and reuse it.
Data Transparency: The data should be reported in its physical form (e.g., as a mass concentration in micrograms per cubic meter for PM2.5). The data must be shared in near real-time, ideally on an hourly basis, with precise geographic coordinates. The data should be provided in a machine-readable format, such as CSV, and accessible through an API or similar means to ensure it can be integrated into open data platforms.
Compliance with Open Data Requirements: The monitors must comply with EPIC’s open data requirements, meaning they should not impose any restrictions on data sharing. This ensures that the data collected can be used to inform policy, raise awareness, and drive action at a national level.
Fitness for Purpose: The precision and accuracy of the monitors must be appropriate for the project’s goals. While some projects may only require coarse precision, others might need highly accurate data to support specific policy initiatives or awareness campaigns. Monitors should be chosen based on the specific needs of the project, but they must be capable of generating data that is suitable for achieving a national-level impact.
Outdoor, Stationary Monitoring: The monitors must be used for long-term, stationary outdoor air quality monitoring. The fund does not support indoor, mobile, or wearable air quality monitoring projects.
These requirements ensure that the data collected through the EPIC Air Quality Fund projects is reliable, accessible, and can be used to make a significant impact on air quality management and policy.
Due to these requirements, several major air quality monitor brands, such as PurpleAir, may not be used for grant applications. Below is a list of several major air quality monitoring companies and whether they comply with the EPIC guidelines.
| Organization | Data Ownership | Data Sharing | Compliance with EPIC Air Quality Fund Open Data Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirGradient | YES | YES | YES |
| AirScan | YES | YES | YES |
| Airveda | YES | YES | YES |
| AirQo | AirQo co-owns the data with consumers | YES | YES |
| Aurasurse | YES | YES | YES |
| Clarity | YES | YES | YES |
| IQAir | YES | YES | YES |
| Persium | YES | YES | YES |
| PurpleAir | NO | NO | NO |
| QuantAQ | NO | NO | NO |
| Respirer | YES | YES | YES |
| Senstate | YES | YES | YES |
| SmartSense | YES | YES | YES |
| TELLUS | Users need to request ownership of Raw Data | YES | Depends on ownership status (refer to column A) |
| TSI Blue Sky | TSI Blue Sky co-owns the data with consumers | Information not disclosed | Cannot be determined at this time |
Why AirGradient is the Best Choice for Grant Applicants
While grant applicants are free to use any of the suitable monitors from the list above (and other companies that fit the criteria but that aren’t yet included on the list), we believe that AirGradient is the perfect fit. Here’s why:
1. Open-Source Transparency
AirGradient is committed to full transparency and control over your air quality data. Our monitors are built with open-source technology, meaning you have complete ownership and access to all the data generated. This aligns perfectly with EPIC’s requirements for open data sharing, ensuring you meet their criteria without any restrictions.
2. Easily Repairable Monitors
One of the unique advantages of AirGradient monitors is their repairability. Unlike many other monitors on the market, AirGradient devices are designed with user-replaceable parts, making them sustainable and cost-effective. If a part wears out or gets damaged, you can easily replace it yourself, minimising downtime and extending the life of your monitoring network.
3. Exclusive Discounts for EPIC Applicants
We understand the importance of funding for projects like yours, so AirGradient offers a significant discount to all EPIC applicants. This allows you to stretch your budget further, enabling you to deploy more monitors or allocate resources to other crucial aspects of your project.
4. Proven Partnership with EPIC
AirGradient has a track record of successful collaboration with EPIC, making us a trusted partner in air quality monitoring. Our experience working with EPIC means we understand their standards and expectations, helping you navigate the application process more smoothly.
5. Educational Services for Grant Winners
We don’t just provide the tools; we also ensure you know how to use them effectively. AirGradient offers educational services to grant winners, including training on how to operate the monitors, manage your data, and utilise the information to achieve a national-level impact. This support can be invaluable as you implement and scale your project.
Contact Us if you are applying to the EPIC grant and are interested to use our monitors!
