EPA Awards $2.4 Million to Small Businesses for Environmental Tech Development

The EPA will provide small businesses with $2.4 million to support the development of innovative technologies addressing environmental challenges.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Jan 14, 2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $2.4 million to 24 small businesses to advance technologies addressing environmental and public health challenges. Each company will receive $100,000 in Phase I funding to develop "proof of concept" solutions, with the potential to secure up to $400,000 in Phase II for development and commercialization.

According to a recent release, the projects focus on pressing issues such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, treating PFAS in biosolids, and creating safer chemical alternatives. These awards are part of the EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which supports innovative technologies that align with the agency’s mission of environmental protection.

"Congratulations to these small businesses for their dedication to driving innovation and tackling today’s environmental challenges," Maureen Gwinn, Acting Assistant Administrator in EPA's Office of Research and Development, said in a statement. "Their groundbreaking ideas not only address critical needs but also pave the way for a healthier planet and a stronger, more sustainable economy."

Among the selected projects are technologies to create low-carbon building materials, reduce food waste through biochar applications and improve indoor air quality. For instance, Acadian Research & Development in Wyoming is developing biochar-derived graphene to enhance concrete strength while lowering its carbon footprint. Similarly, AxNano in North Carolina is working on a treatment process to remove PFAS from biosolids, enabling their safe reuse.

The SBIR program is an annual competition that fosters innovation in small businesses while addressing environmental priorities. Companies that successfully complete Phase I can apply for additional funding to bring their technologies closer to market implementation.