For the fiscal year 2009/2010, the Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center (RRTTC) at the University of Northern Iowa is soliciting proposals for projects. Awards and amounts are contingent upon continued fiscal appropriation.

This call for proposals is open to researchers, educators, and individuals at Iowa’s Regents institutions and to business people working with researchers, educators, and individuals based at a Regents institution.

All proposals will be reviewed and rated by a peer review panel of professionals not seeking funding. However, final funding decisions will be made by the Director of the RRTTC based on the outside reviews, research and program priorities, RRTTC Advisory Committee comments, and available funds.

Successful proposals will meet a minimum of three of the following requirements while being consistent with the mission and goals of the RRTTC:

With this call for proposals, the RRTTC particularly interested in proposals that develop unique policy approaches to the problems of e-waste from public and private sources; carbon emissions trading for recycling centers and recyclers; and unique industrial processes and innovations for recycling waste gaseous carbon emissions. However, this call is not limited to those topics and all proposals will be considered.

RRTTC Mission
The purpose of the Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center is to promote and support research, education, and outreach for solid waste reuse and recycling technologies and processes. As part of the RRTTC’s educational mission, funded research projects involve undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Established by the Iowa Legislature in 1992, the RRTTC supports research projects to identify and design new reuse and recycling technologies, to support research leading to healthy, environmentally sustainable business practices, to transfer emerging and existing technologies and manufacturing processes to new industries, as well as to disseminate research findings and encourage implementation.

RRTTC projects target key Iowa industries and solid waste streams in order to develop innovative approaches to by-product reutilization, industrial ecological practice and/or precision manufacturing. The overall goal of Center-funded projects is to prevent environmental degradation while promoting Iowa’s economy through healthy, sustainable practices.

Goals of the RRTTC

Guidelines for proposal submission

Proposal format

A font size of 10 point or larger, with standard one-inch margins should be used. The original proposal, one paper copy, one electronic copy and all letters of support must be received by the RRTTC no later than 5:00 p.m., February 20, 2009. Please email the electronic copy to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Proposals that exceed the stated length limitations and are received after the deadline will not be reviewed. The following items are to be included:

1. Cover Page
Include the project title, principal investigators, (address, phone, and fax) project duration, (not to exceed two years) funding requested per year, matching funds provided, and signatures of all principal investigators.

2. Table of Contents
Page numbers must be included.

3. Project Summary
The project summary should be no longer than one single-spaced page and should explain the project in non-technical terms. This summary should be suitable for distribution to the media and the general public.

4. Narrative
The narrative section should be double spaced and no longer than 10 pages. It should include the following elements:

A. Background Information and Related Research
What is to be studied, and how does it significantly contribute to related research? A literature review is required in this section.

B. Relevancy to Program Priorities
How is this project relevant to the goals of the RRTTC? How will businesses be able to utilize the research products? How does the research team plan to communicate their findings or transfer their technology to the business sector? Each of these points should be addressed in the proposal.

C. Project Objectives
State measurable goals and objectives that indicate what will be accomplished as a result of this research.

D. Research Tasks and Methodology
This section should consist of a detailed description of work activities including completion dates for deliverables. A timeline is appropriate in this section.

5. Literature Citations
A complete bibliography using standard formats.

6. Facilities Available
Include a description of the research equipment and facilities available to accomplish the goals of the project.

7. Budget
The budget should include a line item for salaries, supplies, services, equipment (greater than $500.00) and travel.

8. Qualifications of Investigators
Include biographical data (no longer than two pages) for each individual involved in the project.

9. Letters of Support
Each proposal must include two letters of support and/or interest from business and/or industry, governmental, non-governmental or special interest representatives that will benefit from the deliverables of the project. The preparer should use good judgment as to what entity would be the most appropriate to provide these letters of support (industry, industry association, non-governmental organizations, etc.). The intent and purpose is to ensure that technology transfer and the application and dissemination of research findings is given high priority by proposers. Proposals received without accompanying support letters will not be considered for funding.

Requirements/Priorities
For projects of two-year duration, an annual progress report is required and should be submitted by the principal investigator no later than June 30, 2009. This progress report should document efforts made by the principal investigator to communicate project findings to the business community. It should also include the names, majors, and status of student researchers that have worked on or have been supported by the project. Finally, indicate any publications, abstracts, etc. that are a result of the research work. Continued funding is dependent upon satisfactory progress as demonstrated by deliverables noted in the annual progress report.

For projects of one or two-year duration, following the end of the funding period, a final project report is due no later than June 30. The final report will contain written and graphic representation of project findings and contain a publishable abstract. It should also include the names, majors, and status of student researchers that have worked on or have been supported by the project. Finally, indicate any publications, abstracts, etc. that are a result of the research work. Within one year of the end of the funding period project results must be publicly presented at a seminar, workshop or professional society meeting.

Proposal Submission Deadline: February 20, 2009

Completed proposals and any questions regarding proposals should be directed to:

Dr. Catherine Zeman, Director
Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center 

University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0184

Phone: (319) 273-7090
Fax: (319) 273-7389
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.rrttc.com