Now open: Sustainable Lab Kit Fund 2025-26
Sustainable Imperial is pleased to be launching our 3rd Sustainable Lab Kit Fund, which is now receiving applications until Friday 19th December at 3pm.
The application form can be found here.
The Sustainable Lab Kit Fund was created to support labs across Imperial in becoming more sustainable. Beyond providing funding for purchasing kit that is more energy efficient or less wasteful, the lab kit fund:
- Encourages participation in sustainable lab programmes such as LEAF and My Green Labs, my making sign-up a requirement to accessing the fund;
- Saves labs and Imperial funding over the long-term by investing in more energy efficient equipment;
- Reduces the environmental impact and carbon emissions of our labs.
This year, we have £100,000 in funding to award successful applicants. Given the popularity of the Fund and the relatively limited funding available, applications for more than £10k will be considered but are less likely to be successful given the percentage of the total fund (10%) or may be offered partial funding.
Eligibility Requirements
Applications will be scored in the following areas:
- Whether you are replacing old or new equipment, refurbishing equipment or buying new equipment;
- The portion of funding the equipment that the lab kit fund is providing;
- Evidence of previous funding applications which included the requested kit. The Lab Kit Fund is not intended to be a first call for funding sustainable lab equipment; purchasing and utilising sustainable lab equipment should be embedded into our research practices;
- The ability to demonstrate improved energy efficiency, or waste, water or resource savings; applicants will score higher when they are able to provide data on these changes.
Additionally, the lab applying for the funding, must be actively participating in or seeking either a LEAF or My Green Lab certification; if eligible for the lab.
Key dates & deadlines
Friday 19 December at 3pm – application deadline
Friday 6 February – applicants notified of results
w/c 16 Feb – journalling of funds to successful applicants
Friday 31 July – funds must be used before end of 2025-26 financial year
Any concerns or questions, please reach out to sustainable@imperial.ac.uk with ‘Sustainable Lab Kit Fund’ in the email title.
Resources
Successfully Funded Projects from Previous Years
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The Centre of Chemistry Education received funding to purchase air-cooled condensers for their undergraduate chemistry teaching labs, saving an estimated 80,000 L of water a year!
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The Molecular Bacteria and Respiratory Infection group of the National Heart and Lung Institute was awarded funding to purchase a new incubator, saving an estimated 5,580 kWh per year.
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The Davis Lab in the Department of Life Sciences used their funding award to purchase a CellDrop automated cell counter which eliminated their need for disposable cell counting slides, saving countless pieces of plastic in their lab.