USGBC Doubles Green Building Research Funding

The green building research program will be used to build the infrastructure necessary for fast improvement.

by Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 2/12/2008

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has pledged an additional $1 million to green building research--doubling its funding allotment for grants awarded in 2008. Grant pre-proposals are due March 6.

The grant program was conceived to encourage research that will advance sustainable building practices and inspire overall market change. Of the $2 million, $500,000 will be applied to K-12 school facility research related to occupant impacts.

After proposals are received, select applicants will be asked to submit comprehensive proposals for the final phase of the selection process. The USGBC plans to use the research to build knowledge, policies, technologies, and tools for fast improvement in sustainable building development, design, construction, and operation.

"Our pledge to invest in research is a reflection of USGBC's commitment to its vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation," says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC. "The industry needs to take giant steps forward in design, construction, renovation, and operation practices to realize large scale improvements to health and environmental conditions in this timeframe."

For pre-proposals submission guidelines visit the USGBC (pdf). Grant Proposals can be submitted online.