Sustainable Lab Kit Fund 2026-27
Sustainable 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is pleased to be launching our fourth round of the Sustainable Lab Kit Fund, which is now receiving applications until Friday 30 October 2026 at 3pm.
Please read the eligibility requirements below before completing the
The Sustainable Lab Kit Fund was created to support 51³Ô¹ÏÍø labs in becoming more sustainable. Beyond providing funding for purchasing kit that is more energy efficient or less wasteful, the lab kit fund:
- Encourages participation in sustainable lab programmes such as LEAF and My Green Labs, by making sign-up a requirement to accessing the fund;
- Saves labs and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø funding over the long-term by investing in more energy efficient equipment;
- Reduces the environmental impact and carbon emissions of our labs.
This year, we have £100,000 in funding to award successful applicants. Given the popularity of the fund and the relatively limited funding available, applications for more than £10,000 will be considered but are less likely to be successful or may be offered partial funding limited to £10,000.
Eligibility Requirements
Applications will be scored in the following areas:
- Whether you are replacing old or new equipment (highest score), refurbishing equipment or seeking other maintenance or sustainability upgrades within your labs (medium score) or buying new equipment (lowest score);
- The portion of funding the equipment that the lab kit fund is providing (the lower the portion of the equipment requested, the higher you will score – we want to see that teams are willing to support sustainable purchases with their own funding/grants);
- The ability to demonstrate improved energy efficiency, or waste, water or resource savings; applicants will score higher when they are able to provide data on these changes. Providing more detailed estimates on savings (i.e., number of pipettes saved, energy savings in kWh, etc.) will strengthen your application.
In addition, we ask for any evidence of previous funding applications for the requested kit. The Lab Kit Fund is not intended to be a first call for funding sustainable lab equipment. Purchasing and utilising sustainable lab equipment should be embedded into our research practices and evidence of this will strengthen your application.
Additionally, the lab applying for the funding must be actively participating in or seeking a LEAF or My Green Lab certification (if eligible for certification).
Key dates & deadlines
Friday 30 October 2026 at 3pm – application deadline
w/c 19 November 2026 – successful applicants notified of results
w/c 30 November 2026 – journalling of funds to successful applicants
Please note funds must be used before end of 2026-27 financial year.
Any concerns or questions, please reach out to sustainable@imperial.ac.uk with ‘Sustainable Lab Kit Fund’ in the email title.
Resources
Successfully Funded Projects from Previous Years
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The Centre of Chemistry Education received funding to purchase air-cooled condensers for their undergraduate chemistry teaching labs, saving an estimated 80,000 L of water a year!
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The Molecular Bacteria and Respiratory Infection group of the National Heart and Lung Institute was awarded funding to purchase a new incubator, saving an estimated 5,580 kWh per year.
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The Davis Lab in the Department of Life Sciences used their funding award to purchase a CellDrop automated cell counter which eliminated their need for disposable cell counting slides, saving countless pieces of plastic in their lab.