The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago’s (EPIC) Clean Air Program is proud to announce six new grantees of the EPIC Air Quality Fund. The Fund, launched last summer, supports local groups and organizations in installing air quality monitors and providing open data to some of the world’s most polluted communities. It aims to expand access to air quality data to 1 billion people by 2030, with more than $2.9 million in support from Open Philanthropy, Alpha Epsilon and other individual donors.
“Opacity and lack of data are pollution’s best friend. Time and time again, history demonstrates that reliable air quality data is an essential first building block for cleaner air and better health,” says Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and Director of EPIC. “Citizens need the data to protect themselves against the risks of air pollution. And data is needed by policymakers to develop and enforce air quality standards so progress can be measured over time. These organizations have the power to launch this change.”
The six new awardees are the third cohort of 26 projects to receive awards during this round of funding, following a call for applications that exceeded expectations with 322 submissions from 74 countries—mostly from countries identified as “higher opportunity” given their pollution levels and limited resources.
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The projects will be funded over an 18-month period to enhance air quality infrastructure, share the data openly, and drive national-level impact on air pollution across 16 countries by 2026.
The projects come as air pollution is recognized as the number one health risk to humankind, with EPIC’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) showing that the burden of pollution on life expectancy outstrips that of malaria, HIV/AIDS and transportation injuries combined. In the 16 countries where projects will be deployed, citizens are losing a combined 1.7 billion life years due to particulate pollution.
While research shows that installing air quality monitors and sharing real-time data with the public in places with very little or no data leads to cleaner air, nearly 40 percent of countries—many of which satellite data shows are highly polluted—aren’t producing open air quality data for their citizens. Of the 16 countries where projects will be deployed, more than half lack open air quality data. Only 15 government monitors provide such open data throughout these 16 countries.
The 26 projects will change that. The projects, 15 of which will be led by government-related entities, plan to launch more than 700 government monitors. Seven of the projects will be the first air quality monitoring of their type in their country. Additionally, 17 of the projects aim to advocate for the creation of their country’s first national air quality standard, which currently does not exist in 13 of the awardee countries.
“EPIC Air Quality Fund awardees represent some of the world’s best chances to close air quality data gaps and advance clean air policy in places where citizens’ lives are being seriously impacted by air pollution, yet where there have been scarce resources deployed to address the issue,” says Christa Hasenkopf, director of EPIC’s Clean Air Program. “Their work is pioneering and an inspiration for their countries and the world.”
This cohort joins eighteen ongoing projects awarded earlier this year (January 2025 Awardees, February 2025 Awardees), and four ongoing projects awarded in 2024. Data produced from the projects will be shared in a fully open manner, and EPIC is partnering with the non-profit OpenAQ to ensure the data can be used in as many ways as possible by scientists, decision-makers, and the general public.
Learn more about the six new EPIC Air Quality Fund awardees:
Bhutan
Awardee: Sherubtse College, led by Jas Raj Subba
The award will facilitate the deployment of low-cost air quality monitors at 15 strategic locations across Bhutan. This project is a collaborative effort involving various institutes and ministries in Bhutan, aimed at shaping policies by making generated data publicly available.
“The main goal of this project is to do real time monitoring of PM2.5 using low cost sensors in Bhutan. The data collected will be shared and made public as per terms and conditions of EPIC’s project. As of now this project will be handled by three key personnel, including me, one from the college of science and technology to work with the technical areas and one from the Ministry of Energy and Natural resources to work at the ministry level. Besides, we will also engage other individuals who will be required to help us in making this project successful, like District officials, Town Mayors, School and institute heads etc.” – Dr. Jas Raj Subba, Sherubtse College
Cameroon
Awardee: Institute of Geological and Mining Research, led by Nasser NDUCOL
The award will support the installation of a low-cost air quality monitoring network in Yaoundé (political and administrative capital) and Douala (economic capital) in Cameroon. In addition to providing continuous, real-time air quality data and making this freely available for interested national and international audiences, the findings will be used in field campaigns and conferences for raising awareness of the risks of air pollution to both human health and the environment, while encouraging the adoption of air cleaner practices. The project aims to present practical solutions and policy recommendations tailored to Cameroon’s specific context. These insights will be shared with decision-makers and key stakeholders to support efforts in reducing pollution exposure and promote healthier, more sustainable urban environments.
“This project aims to improve air quality management in Cameroon through continuous monitoring of PM2.5 concentrations in the two capitals, Yaoundé and Douala. Using high-precision measurement stations, we will generate a free and accessible database over 12 months. Findings will be shared with policymakers and stakeholders to guide public policies and air pollution mitigation strategies. Awareness campaigns and initiatives promoting environmentally friendly practices will be organized in collaboration with local municipal councils for a meaningful impact on individual behavior.” – Nasser NDUCOL, Research Officer, Air Quality Team, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Cameroon
Ghana
Awardee: Environmental Protection Authority, led by Selina Okaebea Amoah
The award will facilitate the installation of a long-term air quality monitoring network in Tema, Ghana. The Tema Air Quality Monitoring for Public Information and Decision Making Project seeks to measure outdoor air pollution (PM2.5 levels) with a hybrid network that includes a reference grade air quality monitor and 7 low-cost air quality monitors. The data generated will be made available to the general public, especially residents of Tema, in real-time for a minimum period of 18 months, which will provide a foundation for evidence-based interventions to manage air pollution.
“Air pollution has become a major environmental issue with public health consequences contributing to health challenges including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The level of pollution and efficiency of interventions can only be determined by measurement, making the project critical in establishing pollution levels in Tema. Deployment of air quality sensors for real-time communication of AQIs is significant in our efforts to protect public health and the environment. Communities and individuals would be empowered to take proactive measures for their well-being. Data generated would be available for awareness creation, revision of air quality standards and inform decision making to ultimately improve air quality in Tema.” – Selina Amoah, Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana
Nepal
Awardee: Clean Energy Nepal, led by Amita Thapa Magar and Prakash Lama
The award will facilitate the deployment of 21 low-cost air quality monitors in major cities across Nepal. The deployment which will be done in collaboration with government and other partners will complement the existing network. With the aim of improving air quality data access, the generated data will be made publicly available. Additionally, youth will be trained and mobilized to amplify the reach of the data generated. The plan is to leverage the generated data, to raise awareness and advocacy to shape policies by generating continuous air quality data, collaborating with governments on management plans.
“This initiative, by providing accessible and real-time air quality data, fostering strong partnerships with the government, and empowering youth, will create an environment that drives effective actions to combat air pollution.” – Prakash Lama, Program Coordinator, Clean Energy Nepal
Nigeria
Awardee: Air Quality Monitoring Research Group, University of Lagos, led by Rose Alani
The award aims to address PM2.5 data gaps by deploying low-cost air quality monitors at 15 strategic locations across Lagos and Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The real-time data generated will be openly shared, enabling individuals and communities to take informed action. Additionally, artificial intelligence will be used to analyze the data, forecast pollution trends, and guide regulatory updates. Starting with these two cities, the project envisions scaling up to other urban centers to enhance national air quality monitoring coverage. By bridging a critical gap in Nigeria’s air quality infrastructure—particularly in the transport sector—it will contribute to shaping policies at both local and national levels, driving emissions reduction and improving public health.
“EPIC Air Quality Fund Award is greatly appreciated for the timely intervention to address PM2.5 data scarcity and inaccessibility in Nigeria. I aim to collaboratively monitor transport-related PM2.5 pollution to bridge the data gap and provide valuable insights into air quality in Nigeria. By shedding light on the impact of traffic emissions on air quality, I hope to empower the public, policymakers, and urban planners with the information needed for informed decisions in Nigeria. My goal is not only to improve local air quality but also to drive national awareness and action for healthier, cleaner cities across the country.” – Dr Rose Alani, Project Lead, Air Quality Monitoring Research Group, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Uganda
Awardee: “Empewo Bwe Bulamu” Air is Life, led by Rebecca Larson and Dorothy Lsoto
The award will support the installation of 15 low-cost air quality monitors in Kampala, Uganda with the aim of building a cohort of air quality ambassadors in the country. The data generated will enable these ambassadors to advocate for specific clean air policies, including a more stringent PM2.5 standard. By working with local cultural institutions, media, and city authorities, the larger vision is to raise awareness about the dangers of poor air quality and empower the community with information to demand better policies that ensure a healthier and cleaner environment for all.
“We aim to create a healthier and cleaner environment for all, with a strong focus on supporting the most vulnerable populations in our communities. Empowering communities through access to PM2.5 data can help reduce immediate health risks associated with exposure to pollution. Additionally, we will hold leaders accountable to implement stringent PM2.5 policies that address the systemic root causes of air pollution, ultimately addressing the pollution burden that disproportionately affects these communities.” – Dorothy Lsoto, “Empewo Bwe Bulamu” Air is Life
About EPIC Clean Air Program
The EPIC Clean Air Program is working to bring actionable information about the quality of the air we breathe and its impact on our health to every corner of the globe in order to motivate action and lay guideposts for efficient air pollution policies. This work includes an EPIC Air Quality Fund to bring high quality and high frequency air pollution monitoring and data access to the places of the world where it is needed most; the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), which uses air pollution data to translate the impact of pollution on a person’s life expectancy; and several particulate pollution trading markets being piloted in Indian cities in coordination with state governments.