Thirteen research projects have been selected for initial funding as part of the first joint collaborative effort between the Inland Northwest Research Alliance and the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.This research is oriented toward gaining a better understanding of subsurface conditions and various contaminants present at the INEEL site 50 miles west of Idaho Falls, as well as other Department of Energy facilities. The goal is to develop environmental cleanup methods that can be used in a variety of applications.
INRA funding for the projects will total about $3 million over three years and fund Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers who will work on collaborative projects, and the various INRA member institutions will contribute another $1 million toward the success of the projects. These young researchers will spend time on their projects at the INEEL and at the various INRA institutions. These collaborative projects are designed to stimulate additional collaborations between the faculty at the INRA member institutions and the researchers at the INEEL, and to prepare a new work force for the INEEL.
"We hope to use these projects to help build the science base for the laboratory, as well as new funding opportunities for our institutions," says James Petersen, interim executive director of INRA.
Seven universities formed the Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA) in the spring of 1999. The member universities include Boise State, Idaho State, University of Idaho, Montana State, University of Montana, Utah State and Washington State.
Contact: Teri Ehresman, (208) 526-7785