Extramural Research
Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability (CNS)
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Downloadable Poster (PDF) (1 pp, 224 K)
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Launched in 2004, CNS is a grants program that is a cornerstone of ORD's transition to sustainability. The program enables grantees and EPA to collaborate in exploring and learning about new approaches to environmental protection that are systems-oriented, forward-looking, preventive, and collaborative. The program addresses the long-term sustainability (in terms of quality and availability) of resources, including air, water, land, energy, materials, and ecosystems. CNS is a testing ground for scientifically-based tools and approaches that can enable a sustainable future at a regional scale. Additionally, projects are tracking success against short- and long-term environmental, economic, and social measures; connecting diverse sets of partners including universities, federal agencies, cities, states, regional planning organizations, nonprofit organizations, and industry; and transferring tools, approaches, and lessons to other states, localities, or regions. It supports environmental stewardship (PDF) (104 pp, 534 K). The 2006 solicitation focused on two areas: (1) Communities and the Built Environment; and (2) Industrial Ecology and Organizational Behavior. Ten projects were funded under this solicitation.
This web site includes project descriptions for the selected projects from the 2004 and 2006 solicitation, a description of one sustainability pilot project, and information about related financial assistance programs to support collaborative community and regional environmental protection, as well as links to other sustainability resources. Click on the links in the site navigation box for more information on each of these topics.