Research: Solicitations

We provide up to $1 million annually to support research in the three key areas below.
View Research Reports to see the results of previously funded projects.

Creative Solutions RFPs

Define and Enhance the Quality of Deconstructed Mattress Components

Deadline: Open

MRC is seeking to fund the development of innovative research proposals that demonstrate the potential to characterize recycled materials with respect to their composition, consistency, level, and nature of contamination. Additionally, concepts for separation or elimination/reduction of cross-contamination in the recycled component streams are being sought. The prospective project is envisioned to be at TR level 1-3 and would typically be followed by further development to demonstrate techno-economic viability on a commercial scale.

Developing New Processes for Recycling Polymeric Mattress Components

Deadline: Open

MRC is seeking creative research proposals that demonstrate the potential to use hard-to-recycle mattress components in new applications and products as well as in reformulated products. In this solicitation, MRC is specifically seeking to fund the development of innovative ideas to modify, for the purpose of recycling, the various polymeric materials recovered from deconstructed mattresses at the end of their lifetime. The prospective project is envisioned to be at TR level 1-3 and would typically be followed by further development to demonstrate techno-economic viability on a commercial scale.

Developing Markets for Recycled Mattress Materials

Deadline: Open

MRC is seeking market development proposals that demonstrate potential commercialization pathways for promising technologies that use post-consumer mattress materials recovered in recycling processes. The prospective project is envisioned as a TR level 4-7 demonstration program, typically following proof of concept and/or lab-scale production technology development.