National Aggregates Research Center Still Needs Your Help
The National Aggregates Research Center concept and initiative - The Center for AggReGaTe, Aggregate Research Geochemistry and Technology – (Center) is still seeking financial commitments from aggregate producers and related partners to support the center.
The Center is applying for a significant grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will aid in funding the Center’s formation. The Center will be facilitated by a collaboration of Virginia Tech and The University of Illinois with VT being the lead site.
"The vision of this Center is to become the aggregate industries’ hub of excellence for research, education, and innovation in sustainability and to advance these industries to the forefront of a global circular economy. As the U.S. and worldwide construction industries continue to grow and evolve within the context of sustainability, this Center will reinvigorate this critical industry into the U.S. economy.”
The financial commitments from industry partners are needed to secure matching NSF grants. The Center is currently about $100,000 short of the minimum requirements to qualify for the matching grant. Unfortunately, the NSF will not recognize pooled money through State Associations, nor will they recognize commitments less than the "partner” level amounts.
"Partner” level annual commitments begin at $25,000 for ½ a vote and are $50,000 for a full vote on the Advisory Committee. Partners can commit up to $100,000 and have two seats and votes on the Advisory Committee.
This Center will be solely directed by the industry-led Advisory Committee, and the Advisory Committee will determine all the research.
Please consider a commitment to the Center so that the Aggregate Industry can facilitate its own state-of-the-art – self-directed research center.
Financial commitments are due by December 6th, 2023, to meet the NSF grant application deadline.