Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR)

Working to transform the built environment in ways that provide for the ecological, economic, and social needs of the present—without compromising those of the future.

Apply for the Buy Clean Grant RFP

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR), in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Administration and Minnesota Department of Transportation, seeks proposals from Minnesota-based manufacturers of eligible construction materials/products to create Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) under the “Buy Clean” legislative funding. Maximum grant per grantee will be $49,999.00. Grants awarded will either be assigned from the Department of Administration ($255,000 total available) or from the Department of Transportation ($310,000 total available).

Notice of Intent to Apply

To allow for efficient management of the grant competition process, an optional Notice of Intent to Apply is requested to be submitted no later than December 23, 2024 at 4:30 PM CT via email to Natalie Georgieff at [email protected].

Application Deadline

Application packages must be submitted electronically via email to Natalie Georgieff at [email protected] no later than January 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM CT in order to be considered for funding.

See full details, key dates, and eligibility

Start the application

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Featured Project

21st Century Development

21st Century Development strives to provide a healthy environment for all people and living systems now and in a dynamic future. This project model benefits all living systems by enabling human and natural systems to coevolve and regenerate. Professionals from architecture, engineering, and other fields are partnering with public officials, the private sector, and nonprofit leaders to reimagine the practice of development and bring 21st Century Development concepts to life around the world.

Blue, yellow, and red houses situated on waterfront.

View All CSBR Projects

CSBR's projects focus on six areas: energy and climate change, the water cycle, sustainable materials for a healthy built environment, measuring regenerative design, equitable designs to provide sustainability for all, and creating regenerative and resilient communities.

John Carmody
John Carmody: A Life in Sustainability

This virtual exhibition, originally presented at the HGA Gallery in Fall 2022, looks back at the influential life of John Carmody, founding director for the Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) at the University of Minnesota. John Carmody - A Life in Sustainability celebrates his remarkable 40+ year career as an environmental activist and systems designer who brought actionable solutions to complex problems. His journey to enrich humankind's spiritual connection with Earth inspires the responsible stewardship that CSBR, and many others, continue to work on today.