Our Grant Program

Our Grant Program

Providing Research Grants for All Mining…

Overview

The Alpha Foundation is seeking to award research addressing the root causes of disease, injuries, and fatalities in the mining industry and achieve successful implementation of practical solutions derived from the research effort.

The Foundation is committed to fund projects that explore innovative ideas and concepts, complement existing research efforts and address knowledge or technology gaps in mine safety and health. To this end, cooperative research efforts with mining entities, stakeholder groups and state and federal institutions are encouraged. The Foundation plan is a balanced approach, incorporating a blend of engineering and health science with behavioral science and training, needed to solve mining safety and health problems.

Grant Portfolio

Health and Safety
Interventions

These studies encompass efforts devoted to prevention by design whereby engineering controls, mine design, machine design, or use of personal protective equipment or safety and health technologies are used to prevent conditions, circumstances, or events that cause illness, disease, injury or death to mine workers.

AFC518-10_Concept Summary

Improving Communication in Noise for Miners Wearing Hearing Protection

University of Connecticut Health Center (Grant Number AFC518-10)

AFC719-31_MS&T_Synopsis

Analysis of Coal Mine Seal Integrity from Explosively Driven Projectiles

Missouri University of Science & Technology (Grant number AFC719-31)

AFC719-15_WVU_Synopsis

A Practical, Mechanics-Based Approach to Pillar Design

West Virginia University (Grant number AFC719-15)

ASTI14F0-82_WVU_Synopsis

Validation of the Gas and Dust Explosion Model

West Virginia University (Follow-Up Grant Number ASTI14FO-82)

AFC215F0-71_VirgTech_Synopsis

Advanced Low Noise Fan Array System

Virginia Tech (Follow-Up Grant Number AFC215FO-71)

AFC215F0-73_Maryland_Synopsis

Numerical Analysis of Gas Explosions in Coal Mines

University of Maryland (Follow-Up Grant AFC215FO-73)

AFC518-48 Concept Summary

Flying Underground

Colorado School of Mines (Grant AFC518-48)

AFC518SP-89_VirginiaTech_Synopsis

Collecting mine dust particles with liquid-coated vibrating meshes, Phase 2

Second Phase Technology Development Grants (AFC518SP)

Virginia Tech (Grant AFC518SP-89)