The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) launched on March 19, 2013, the TRI University Challenge, a new initiative designed to use academic partnerships to find innovative uses for Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. TRI gives all Americans access to information about toxic chemicals in the environment as a tool to better protect health and the environment.
US EPA will accept TRI University Challenge applications until May 13, 2013, for projects that will begin this fall. Two informational webinars about the challenge are planned for April. Institutions whose project proposals are selected will become TRI University Challenge partners. Partners gain practical experience collaborating with US EPA to understand and solve local environmental challenges and may receive national recognition for their efforts. While no monetary assistance is available as part of this challenge, partners will receive direct support and guidance from US EPA TRI experts.
Priority will be given to projects related to one or more of the following four topics: pollution prevention and sustainability, stakeholder engagement, technology and data mashups, and environmental education. TRI helps industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and the public make environmentally responsible decisions by providing them with information about toxic chemical releases into the air, water, and land.
For more information on the Challenge, webinars, and sample project ideas, please vist the US EPA website.