Clean Air Fund Research Grants 2026: Call for Expressions of Interest on Black Carbon Reduction in Cold-Climate Countries
The Clean Air Fund is inviting expressions of interest from researchers and research teams to evaluate the health and climate benefits of interventions designed to reduce black carbon emissions in cold-climate settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
This research opportunity focuses on assessing cleaner technologies and interventions used in space heating and industry in regions affected by cold climates and cryospheric conditions. The selected studies are expected to generate real-world evidence on emissions reductions, health outcomes and climate benefits, helping inform policies and interventions that improve air quality and protect vulnerable communities.
Application deadline: 23 October 2026.
About the Clean Air Fund Research Opportunity
The Clean Air Fund is a philanthropic organisation working to tackle air pollution and improve public health through research, funding and collaboration.
Through this call for expressions of interest, the organisation seeks research studies that assess the actual performance of black carbon reduction interventions under real-world conditions. Black carbon is a component of fine particulate air pollution produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. It contributes to health risks and atmospheric warming, making its reduction important for both public health and climate action.
The opportunity aims to strengthen the evidence base for interventions that can deliver measurable benefits in cold-climate settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Research Areas
The call focuses on two main intervention areas.
1. Cleaner Space Heating Technologies
Research may examine cleaner heating technologies and interventions designed to reduce black carbon emissions in cold-climate communities.
Studies should assess how these interventions perform under actual operating conditions, including the extent to which they reduce emissions compared with existing technologies or practices.
Researchers may also investigate the associated health and climate benefits and the factors influencing whether communities adopt and continue using cleaner alternatives.
2. Industrial Emissions Reduction
The opportunity also seeks research evaluating interventions designed to reduce black carbon emissions from industrial activities in cold-climate settings.
Studies should investigate the effectiveness of these interventions in practice, quantify relative emissions reductions where possible and assess their implications for public health and climate outcomes.
What Should the Research Examine?
Proposed studies should address the real-world effectiveness and broader impacts of black carbon reduction interventions.
Key areas of interest include:
- Emissions reductions: Measuring the relative reduction in black carbon emissions under actual use conditions.
- Health benefits: Evaluating the potential health impacts associated with reduced exposure to black carbon and related air pollution.
- Climate benefits: Assessing the climate implications of reducing black carbon emissions.
- Community acceptance: Where possible, examining how communities perceive, adopt and use cleaner technologies.
- Long-term sustainability: Identifying factors that can support continued use and lasting benefits from the interventions.
The research is intended to generate practical evidence that can help policymakers, funders and implementing organisations understand which interventions work, under what conditions and how they can be sustained.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The call may be relevant to research institutions, universities, environmental researchers, public health specialists and multidisciplinary teams with expertise in air pollution, emissions measurement, climate science or cleaner technologies.
Organisations and research teams working in low- and middle-income countries with cold-climate settings may find this opportunity particularly relevant.
Applicants should review the official call documentation for the precise eligibility criteria, geographic scope, required research methods, funding arrangements and submission instructions. The announcement provided does not specify an award amount.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is 23 October 2026.
Interested applicants should consult the official Clean Air Fund announcement for the complete terms of reference and application requirements. As the deadline is approaching, prospective applicants should review the requirements promptly.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Final Thoughts
This Clean Air Fund research opportunity offers a chance to strengthen the evidence on interventions that reduce black carbon emissions and deliver health and climate benefits in cold-climate settings.
Researchers with relevant expertise in environmental science, public health, climate change and emissions reduction should review the call and consider submitting an expression of interest before the deadline.
Note: This is a call for expressions of interest for research studies, not a general employment vacancy. Applicants should confirm the funding arrangements and eligibility conditions in the official announcement.
