2026 EPIC Air Quality Fund

2026 Call for Proposals
Applications for the 2026 EPIC Air Quality Fund open March 12, 2026. Those interested in applying may preview application requirements at https://aqfund.epic.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/01/2026-EPIC-Air-Quality-Fund-Application.pdf

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In this call, the EPIC Air Quality Fund will offer financial support to at least 20 selected groups over an 18-month period. The primary goal of the awards are for groups to achieve national-level policy impacts through the generation, use, and sharing of open air quality data. We expect award amounts to be roughly 50,000 USD for groups proposing to deploy lower cost sensors and 75,000 USD or more for groups using regulatory grade or reference grade equipment.

It is the intention of the Fund to renew successful Awards for subsequent years of funding, pending available resources.

Application form: The EPIC Air Quality Fund will open its next round on 12 March 2026. We are now accepting applications. Please find here the link to the application submission portal. A preview of the application form is available for viewing here. PLEASE NOTE: This form is made available simply so potential awardees can see the questions in advance of the call opening. Applications will not be accepted before 12 March 2026 and must not be submitted using this form.

Join us for an info session on the 2026 EPIC Air Quality Fund Call for Proposals on March 19 at 9:30 am CDT.

Eligibility Criteria
Organizational Type
This call for applications is open to governmental and non-governmental organizations of any type, including universities, non-profits, for-profits, corporates, NGOs, and CSOs. Organizations are required to be legally authorized to receive funds from a US institution. Organizations are required to have a working bank account that is able to accept funds from a US institution. Individuals interested in applying must do so in partnership with an organization that meets the above criteria.

Country
Applications from all countries may apply, except for those on the US Department of State “State Sponsors of Terrorism” List and those that plan to implement their projects in the EU/EEA Country List. Please note the EPIC Air Quality Fund will prioritize applications that address air quality issues in 83 countries identified by EPIC’s Air Quality Award Team as high and medium-high opportunities for closing nationwide PM2.5 data gaps (see list of countries in appendix).The applicant must verify that it is legal to operate PM2.5 monitoring equipment, measure PM2.5, and share such data publicly in their country.

Selection Criteria
Country Location: The Fund prioritizes applications from the 83 countries where there is a “high” or “medium high” opportunity for a single monitoring effort to have a national-level impact. Here is a list of those countries from our analysis.
Project Relevance: Over an 18 month time frame, the proposed project must generate and share outdoor, stationary PM2.5 data over 12 months in order to support national-level clean air policy impacts.
Data Sharing and Transparency: All applicants must commit to providing full, open access to their air quality monitoring data. Please see this document, which further outlines the open data requirements of these awards and an assessment of whether popular air quality monitoring companies’ data policies meet our open data requirements.
Likelihood of National Impact: The overarching goal of the project is not to measure and share PM2.5 data, but to achieve a national-level policy impact on air pollution, through a variety of means, including but not limited to: heightened ambition in policy, greater government, philanthropic, development assistance or other financial investment; and of course actual decreases in PM2.5 levels (though we do not expect such reductions will yet be measurable during the 18 months of the funding). By ‘national-level’ policy impact, we mean impacts that can have a systemic effect on how air pollution is viewed or addressed in the country, rather than nationwide mitigation measures (e.g. distribution or increased awareness of masks, filters, etc.). We expect funded local actors/organizations will have specific plans – and actual measurable impacts – that will vary from country to country. Examples of ‘systemic national-level impact’ could be work that spurs the creation or raises the ambition of an air quality standard, activates an influential group of leaders within the country toward advocating for a specific air pollution policy, etc. Whereas some groups may hold workshops with the data, others may invest in apps, specific policy objectives, or myriad of other activities, depending on what their judgment is on what activities will affect change in their national level environment. Please note: We are not interested in academic or technical impacts unless they somehow were to feed directly into national level impacts on air pollution.
Prior Experience And/Or Ability to Learn Quickly and Continue Work for Multiple Years: Preference will be given to candidates that either have a proven track record in air quality and/or other related projects OR can share a compelling plan for how they will address any current knowledge gaps on their team. Preference will also be given to candidates that appear capable of and interested in monitoring air quality and working toward national-level impacts over multiple years.
Team and Larger Collaborative Ability: Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the ability to put together a team that can effectively achieve a national-level impact through monitoring and sharing PM2.5, as well as carrying out additional activities to achieve that impact during the 18 month grant period and possibly beyond. Additionally, preference will be given to those applicants who demonstrate they are well-situated to connect the PM2.5 data they generate and share to a larger set of nationally-relevant stakeholders.
Privacy/Use of Private Information Notice
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is responsible for the personal information you provide in this application. We use this information (including your name, contact details, organization, team information, and project/budget information) to receive and review your application, communicate with you about its status, and, if selected, to administer any award and related reporting. Your data will be accessed only by the EPIC Air Quality Fund team and processed in our online application system hosted by Submit Software Solutions Ltd. We keep your information only as long as needed to run this funding call, manage any awards, and meet our legal and audit obligations. Providing your information is voluntary, but if you do not provide the requested details, we may not be able to consider your application. Depending on your local laws, you may have rights to request access to, correction or deletion of your data, or to object to certain uses; you can contact us about this or with any questions at [email protected].
More questions?
See our FAQs. Or contact: [email protected]

FAQ:
Q. What does the EPIC Air Quality Fund offer?
A. The EPIC Air Quality Fund provides $50,000–$75,000 USD in flexible funding over 18 months to support leaders in governments and organizations to drive systemic, national-level policy impact through building and maintaining long-term, outdoor PM2.5 air quality monitoring networks and sharing data in a fully openly manner. The Fund prioritizes work in 83 countries and aims to support successful projects for further investment.

Q: What type of entities can apply for these awards?
A: This call for applications is open to governmental and non-governmental organizations of any type, including universities, non-profits, for-profits, corporates, NGOs, and CSOs. Organizations are required to be legally authorized to receive funds from a US institution. Organizations are required to have a working bank account that is able to accept funds from a US institution. Priority will be given to government and government-related organizations.

Q: Applicants from which countries are eligible to apply?
A: Applications from all countries are welcome, except for those on the US Department of State’s “State Sponsors of Terrorism” List and those that plan to implement their projects in the EU/EEA Countries List.  Please note the EPIC Air Quality Fund will prioritize applications that address air quality issues in 83 countries identified by EPIC’s Air Quality Award Team as high and medium-high opportunities for closing nationwide PM2.5 data gaps (see list of countries here). The applicant must verify that it is legal to operate PM2.5 monitoring equipment, measure PM2.5, and share such data publicly in their country.

Q: Can individuals apply for these awards?
A: No, individuals may not apply on their own. Any individual interested in applying must do so in partnership with an organization that meets the above criteria.

Q. What kind of air quality monitoring projects will be supported by this fund?
A: This fund aims to support projects that will establish long-term, stationary, outdoor air quality monitoring networks in their country, make this data openly available and dissemination of this data within the community through the development of activities that leverage this data. We will not be able to support projects that involve indoor air quality monitoring, mobile air quality monitoring and projects that make use of wearable air quality monitors.

Q: What does ‘fully open access’ to air quality monitoring data mean?
A: ‘Fully open access’ means that the data are provided in its physical form (as a mass concentration in micrograms per cubic meter), the data are provided regularly and in a timely manner (e.g. hourly data provided in near-real time) with geographic coordinates, and the data are provided in a programmatic fashion (e.g. through an API and able to be added to open data platforms). Read more here to understand how we are defining ‘fully open data.’ Applicants will be asked to provide a detailed plan for how they will make their data fully open. The data must be shareable through a CC-BY-4.0 license. This document further outlines the open data requirements of these awards and an assessment of whether popular air quality monitoring companies’ data policies meet our open data requirements.

Q. Do you have recommendations on which sensors to use?
A: No. We leave this choice open, as there are many different types of sensors that fit many different types of situations requiring differing sensor capabilities. However, since we require fully open access air quality data to be generated from these awards, it should be noted that not all companies selling air quality monitoring devices allow their users to own the data they produce and therefore share the data downstream. Please see this document, which further outlines the open data requirements of these awards and an assessment of whether popular air quality monitoring companies’ data policies meet our open data requirements. Applicants are free to choose a sensor company outside of this list provided, they can show documentation from the air quality manufacturer that they, the applicant, would a) own the data and b) are allowed to share data on an open, public platform that meets a CC-BY-4.0 license.

Q. What does national-level policy impact mean in the context of this application?
A: The overarching goal of the project is to achieve a national-level policy impact on air pollution using open data, through a variety of means, including but not limited to: heightened ambition in policy, greater government, philanthropic, development assistance or other financial investment; and of course actual decreases in PM2.5 levels (though we do not expect such reductions will yet be measurable during the18 months of the funding). By ‘national-level’ policy impact, we mean impacts that can have a systemic effect on how air pollution is viewed or addressed in the country, rather than nationwide mitigation measures (e.g. distribution or increased awareness of masks, filters, etc.). We expect funded local actors/organizations will have specific plans – and actual measurable impacts – that will vary from country to country. Examples of ‘systemic national-level impact’ could be work that spurs the creation or raises the ambition of an air quality standard, activates an influential group of leaders within the country toward advocating for a specific air pollution policy, etc. Whereas some groups may hold workshops with the data, others may invest in apps, specific policy objectives, or myriad of other activities, depending on what their judgment is on what activities will affect change in their national level environment. Please note: We are not interested in academic or technical impacts unless they somehow were to feed directly into national level impacts on air pollution.

Q. What exactly does near real-time mean? Do we report the data: one data point per hour, per day, per week?
A: The specific frequency at which data is reported—whether it be every 10 seconds, hourly or daily—can vary from sensor vendor to vendor or project to project. We have intentionally allowed for flexibility in this regard to accommodate this variation, encouraging participants to provide timely and relevant air quality information openly. Ideally, the time resolution should be at least daily.

Q. The accuracy in measuring PM2.5 levels significantly influences the choice of air quality monitoring instruments, which in turn affects the budget. What degree of precision and uncertainty is required? Is it necessary to report open data to EPIC in terms of micrograms per cubic meter?
A: We don’t have specifications on precision or uncertainty, but rather request that the data precision be ‘fit for purpose’ – meaning, coarse precision is okay to move forward certain clean air activities (e.g. certain awareness campaigns or ‘litmus test’ activities), while much more precise data would be needed in others. We ask that you use instrumentation that successfully allows you to achieve national-level policy impact with the precision needed to do so. The only limitation on air quality instrument type is that it is produced by a company in which the user (the awardee) is legally able to share the data in a fully open manner downstream. Please see this document, which further outlines the open data requirements of these awards and an assessment of whether popular air quality monitoring companies’ data policies meet our open data requirements.

Q: How do I apply?
A: To be updated on 12 March 2026, when the next application cycle opens. You can preview the application form here. Note: Applicants must use the submission portal that will open on 12 March to submit applications.

Q. Can I make an email submission?
A: No, submissions made by email will not be accepted. All submissions must be made by filling out the application form when we open on 12 March 2026. To assist you in preparing for the online submission, you can preview the form here.

Q. I missed attaching a document/ I attached an incorrect document as a part of the application. What should I do?
A: If you realize that you missed attaching a document/ or added an incorrect document after submitting the form, unfortunately, there is no way to resubmit or edit your application. Please ensure that you correctly attach all documents before submission.

Q: Can an applicant submit more than one application?
A: No, each applicant is allowed to make a single submission only. The submission of multiple applications, by the same applicant, will lead to the disqualification of all submissions associated with that application

Q: Can an applicant who is a prior/current EPIC AQ Fund awardee apply?
No. Applicants who are current or prior EPIC AQ Fund awardees are not eligible to apply in this funding round. The Fund is designed to support new projects and organizations, and this approach helps us broaden the reach and impact of the program.

Q: Under what conditions can an applicant from an organization with a prior or current EPIC AQ Fund award apply?
A: The only condition under which an applicant from a prior or current EPIC AQ Fund award can apply is, if it is led by a different Principal Investigator (PI) and there is no overlap of team members.

Q: Are there any restrictions on how the funds are utilized?
A: The primary goal of this initiative is to empower local actors by providing them with significant autonomy in the allocation of awarded funds, enabling them to direct these resources towards efforts that they deem most critical for their air quality monitoring projects. This autonomy is designed to empower applicants to prioritize and channel resources into areas they identify as most vital for the success of their projects. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, purchasing equipment essential for air quality monitoring, conducting data collection and analysis, compensating project personnel, organizing outreach activities, and covering other costs that are directly associated with the project’s execution and implementation. All such expenses must be clearly outlined and justified within the project details and budget section of the application form to ensure transparency and alignment with project goals.

Q: Can external funds be used to supplement this project?
A: Yes, applicants are welcome and encouraged to enhance the scope of their projects by supplementing the awarded funds with additional funds. At the time of application, any known additional funds and how they will be used can be indicated in the application. If external funds are brought in after an award has been made, we request this also be shared with the EPIC Air Quality Award team.

Q. After the project’s completion, who retains ownership of the instruments purchased for the project? Additionally, is it possible for these instruments to remain operational at their installed locations once the project has concluded?
A: The applicants will have full ownership of all instruments purchased during the project and are encouraged to continue their operation at the installed locations after the project has concluded.

Q: Are the recipients of awards expected to collaborate?
A: While collaboration among award recipients is not a requirement of this initiative, it is equally important to note that there are no restrictions against it. Participants are free to engage in collaborative efforts should they find it beneficial to their projects’ goals and outcomes.The EPIC Air Quality Award committee will also be seeking ways to promote opportunities for collaboration amongst awardees and the wider international air quality community.

Q: What is the deadline for submitting applications?
A: All applications need to be submitted before 30 April 2026, 11:59 PM Central European Time (CET). Please note that although the official deadline is stated in CET, the dates displayed on the application form reflects your local time zone. These local dates and times are automatically aligned with the corresponding CET deadline to ensure consistency.

Q: How will I know if my application has been received?
A: You will receive a confirmation of your submission by email. Even after submission, you will be able to login and view your submission on this portal.

Q: When will the award decisions be announced?
A: Recipients of the award are expected to be informed in Summer 2026.

Q: What is the budget limit for regional or multiple countries proposals?
A: The funding amount is the same as any single award: about 50,000 USD for projects involving lower-cost sensors and 75,000 USD for ones with reference grade equipment. Proposing multiple countries does not increase the amount per award.

Q: Is there a limitation on the number of countries that can collaborate when applying for this fund? (e.g., the project is implemented in Country A, coordinated from Country B, with some administrative/technical purchases in Country C)
A: No, there is no limitation on the number of countries that can collaborate. Applicants have the flexibility to assemble their team from different countries and nationalities. However, applicants must provide a justification for forming such a diverse collaboration. The team lead should consider themselves a local actor in the country in which the project is implemented.

Q. Can the proposal include a hybrid air quality monitoring network including a combination of BAM and low-cost air quality monitoring?
A: Yes, that would be completely acceptable as long as the project generates and shares outdoor, stationary PM2.5 data for 12 months over an 18 month period with the intention of creating national-level impact on the clean air action through additional activities and the data is accessible to the public in a fully open manner. The upper limit award for these proposals is 75,000 USD.

Q. Does the EPIC AQ Fund application process require to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and initial SAM.gov registration
A: The procedure for application to the EPIC AQ Fund does not require any such prior registrations.To ensure all compliances are met, there are two steps you can take in advance though:

1) If your application is selected, you will be required to fill out one of the following forms below. Please select the one that applies to you.

For foreign (non-US) entities, W-8 BEN-E – Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner (Entity): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8bene.pdf

For US-based entities, W-9 – Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf
Note: The above form does not need to be submitted along with your initial application.

2) Ensure your organization has a bank account capable of receiving funds in USD from a US organization.

Q. Will the EPIC AQ Fund team be able to connect potential partners to facilitate applications?
A: Applicants are solely responsible for assembling their own teams and forging partnerships. The EPIC AQ Fund team does not provide assistance in connecting potential partners for the application process.

Q. Can an entity send multiple applications for different communities in different countries?
A: Any given team – and specifically any single person – can be a PI on just one application. So if an entity would like to send in multiple applications for different countries, different teams/PIs from the same entity (e.g. University) must apply in separate applications.

Relevant Links / Emails:

Data Sharing and Transparency link: https://aqfund.epic.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/01/EPIC-AQ-Fund-Open-Data-Sharing-Requirements.pdf 

Email for Info: [email protected] 

Country Location: The Fund prioritizes applications from the 83 countries where there is a “high” or “medium high” opportunity for a single monitoring effort to have a national-level impact. Link to PDF with prioritized countries: https://aqfund.epic.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/11/2025-Clean-Air-Investment-Map_Appendix.pdf

For Asia and the Pacific, priority countries are:
Bangladesh
Bhutan

Cambodia

Laos
Malaysia

Mongolia

Nepal 

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan


The call is open until 30 April, 11:59 PM, Central European Time (CET)

This is the submission link: https://epicaqfund.submit.com/