WASHINGTON, DC, August 21, 2006 (ENS) - The federal government is offering $1.25 million in sustainability grants to teams of college students through the agency's People, Prosperity and the Planet, P3, contest, a national student design competition launched in 2004.
Applications are being received for the funds that will enable teams of college students to research, develop and design scientific and technical solutions to sustainability challenges that protect the environment while achieving continued economic prosperity.
EPA will award as many as 50 grants up to $10,000 each to student teams to research and develop sustainable solutions during the 2007-08 academic year.
In spring 2008, the teams will be invited to bring their designs to Washington, DC to compete for EPA's P3 Award, which includes an additional award worth up to $75,000 to further develop and implement the project in the field.
The competition will be judged by the National Academy of Engineering for design innovation and technical merit along with relevant social, economic and environmental considerations that are the keys to sustainable designs.
The P3 competition is open to teams of students attending colleges, universities and other post-secondary educational institutions.
Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, including representatives from multiple engineering departments and departments such as chemistry, architecture, industrial design, economics, policy, social sciences, business, and communication.
Proposals must reach the EPA by December 21, 2006. Application procedures and materials for this year's grants are found at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2007/2007_p3_4thannual.html
Details about the P3 competition are at: http://www.epa.gov/P3