The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday launched the TRI University Challenge, a new initiative designed to use academic partnerships to find innovative uses for Toxics Release Inventory data.

TRI gives all Americans access to information about toxic chemicals in the environment as a tool to better protect health and the environment.

“For more than 20 years, individuals, organizations and communities have relied on TRI as a powerful tool for environmental protection,” said Malcolm D. Jackson, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Environmental Information and Chief Information Officer. “Now, EPA is encouraging students and professors to submit ideas for new projects that will increase the knowledge, use, and understanding of TRI data.”

EPA will accept TRI University Challenge applications between March 18 and May 13, 2013 for projects that will begin this fall. Two informational webinars about the challenge are planned for April.

Institutions whose project proposals are selected will become TRI University Challenge partners. Partners gain practical experience collaborating with EPA to understand and solve local environmental challenges and may receive national recognition for their efforts. While no monetary assistance is available as part of this challenge, partners will receive direct support and guidance from EPA TRI experts.

Priority will be given to projects related to one or more of the following four topics: pollution prevention and sustainability, stakeholder engagement, technology and data mashups, and environmental education.

TRI helps industry, government, non-governmental organizations and the public make environmentally responsible decisions .by providing them with information about toxic chemical releases into the air, water and land.

For more information, visit EPA’s EPA TRI University Challenge webpage.  For more private-public challenges, visit www.Challenge.gov.

3/25/2013