New York State Pollution Prevention Institute launches the 2025-2026 application cycle to support initiatives that focus on natural resource conservation and hazardous chemical reduction

Rochester, New York – The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is inviting community organizations, municipal departments, and nonprofit entities across New York State to submit applications for its Community Grants Program for the 2025-2026 cycle. This initiative, launched in 2008, is geared toward fostering a more sustainable New York through the adoption of pollution prevention strategies.

Pollution prevention, as defined by the institute, involves strategies to reduce or eliminate waste at its source. This can include modifying production processes, advocating for the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and promoting the reuse of materials to minimize their entry into the waste stream.

Applications for this funding opportunity are open until 5 p.m. EDT on April 18, 2025. Interested parties can apply for grants to support projects that enhance public awareness, understanding, and implementation of sustainable practices.

Nabil Nasr, interim director of NYSP2I, expressed enthusiasm about the new funding cycle, noting the diverse array of projects previously supported by the program.

“We are excited to open the new proposal period for the next round of our Community Grants Program funding,” said Nabil Nasr, NYSP2I’s interim director. “Eligible organizations from across the state have used this funding to implement a variety of pollution prevention and educational projects.”

This year, the institute is particularly encouraging proposals that involve collaborations leading to significant environmental impacts. Competitive projects will demonstrate potential for broad community engagement, ease of replication by other organizations, and substantial environmental benefits. Focus areas for projects may include reducing consumption of natural resources, decreasing the use of hazardous chemicals, minimizing food waste, and promoting pollution prevention in critical areas such as greenhouse gas reduction and the adoption of circular economy principles.

Since its inception, the NYSP2I Community Grants Program has funded 179 projects with a total of more than $3 million distributed to various organizations throughout New York. Past projects that have been successful include a wide range of initiatives, from local workshops on sustainable practices to large-scale pollution reduction programs. Detailed case studies and success stories from these projects are available on the NYSP2I website for those interested in learning more about the program’s impact.

For additional information on the application process or the Community Grants Program, potential applicants can reach out to Ambika Walker, NYSP2I’s program manager for Outreach and Education, via email at apwgis@rit.edu or by phone at 585-475-2399.

The NYSP2I, funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, operates under the umbrella of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology. It serves as a collaboration among several prominent educational institutions in New York, including Binghamton University, Clarkson University, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the NYS Manufacturing Extension Partnership, aiming to spearhead the development of more sustainable practices across the state.