Major research funders increasingly require that researchers assess the environmental impact of their research, using programmes like the University’s own Sustainable Lab Awards. We have created a process to support participating researchers to evidence this for their grant applications. Lab Awards Validation Link Why do we need a record of members? Several significant research funders to the University of Edinburgh require that researchers look at the environmental footprint of their research. The University is also a signatory to the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation, which asks institutions to carry out Research and Innovation in an environmentally sustainable way. We are therefore asking all potential grant applicants, supported by local sustainability coordinators, to fill in a form to confirm their participation and award level, and if they have received or plan to apply for research funding. Our research funders have confirmed that this is an appropriate way to evidence applicant participation in the awards, a College or School Sustainable Lab Award certificate will not be considered sufficient. This process means that, when research grants are applied for, researchers can include a link to provide proof of their contribution to awards, verified by the local sustainability coordinator. The database only allows verification of an email address by the funder, it cannot be searched, nor is a list of names displayed. Who will access this data? The link to this page will be provided to research funder representatives who have requested a record of lab award members as part of their grant conditions. Funders can validate participation using the email provided by the applicant. They will not be able to freely browse all names.Individuals can also use this record as proof of their contribution and work in support of the Sustainable Lab Awards. For more information about how data will be stored, processed and share, please read our Data Privacy Impact Assessment and review the Data Privacy notice below. Digital Privacy Impact Assessment Legitimate Interest Assessment Data Privacy NoticeIf you have further questions about how to use the database, signing up to be included or data privacy, please email labs.award@ed.ac.uk This article was published on 2026-02-12
