The Environmental Science and Services Division (ESSD) provides a number of non-regulatory assistance and information programs which emphasize pollution prevention (P2) to help the citizens and businesses of Michigan make informed decisions and take actions that conserve resources and prevent pollution and waste. The goal of the Michigan Pollution Prevention Research Grant Program is to further the state’s P2 efforts by encouraging the development and diffusion of innovative P2 technologies to benefit Michigan businesses and the environment.

The generation of environmental wastes represents significant costs to businesses, society, and the environment through their release, disposal, treatment, and control. The costs to businesses are many including fees for the disposal, discharge and hauling of wastes, capital and operating costs for waste treatment systems, higher insurance, liability, and regulatory compliance costs, additional worker health and safety concerns, and reduced efficiencies due to lost product and raw materials and increased labor. While the costs to society and the environment are typically less direct, they are well recognized and considered of equal or greater importance.

Pollution prevention (P2) is the practice of eliminating the generation of waste and, when wastes can not be prevented, utilizing environmentally sound on-site or off-site reuse or recycling. When businesses adopt P2 technologies, they immediately reduce or eliminate the many costs associated with the generation of environmental wastes, while having the added benefit of improving the long term health of the environment. Unfortunately many P2 technologies remain cost prohibitive or are non-existent for the many wastes currently generated in Michigan.

The Michigan Pollution Prevention Research Grant Program provides financial assistance to Michigan universities and community colleges for the first implementation or the continued research and development of innovative P2 technologies having the potential to reduce the quantity or toxicity of specific environmental wastes currently generated by Michigan businesses. The objective is to provide seed money for new projects that further state P2 efforts, foster and support innovation, and transfer technology and results to others. The final outcome is to reduce the quantity and toxicity of waste materials generated in Michigan and the costs associated with their generation.

For a limited time, the ESSD is offering matching funds under the Michigan Pollution Prevention Research Grant Program. Projects directed to implementing and documenting the first commercialization, adoption, or full-scale demonstration of a P2 technology in Michigan, particularly at a small manufacturing business, are given preference under this program. Up to $50,000 in matching funds will be made available for each project selected. Three awards are anticipated subject to available funding. Organizations receiving grants are required to match state funds by at least 100 percent. Grantee contributions may include dollars, in-kind goods and services, and/or third party contributions. Projects must be conducted in Michigan. Requests for funding will be accepted from October 17, 2005 through January 16, 2006.

For additional information on the Michigan Pollution Prevention Research Grant Program, please click on the documents below or contact David Herb at 517-241-8176.

Michigan Pollution Prevention Research Grant Program Documents.  Please contact David Herb at 517-241-8176 or herbdw@michigan.gov if you are unable to download the documents or would like paper copies mailed to you.

• Fact Sheet (pdf) 
• Request for Proposal (RFP) (pdf)