Challenge Rules and Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria, Rules, and Data Use for the Fume Hood Challenge

The following information pertains to organizations that wish to register for the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) International Fume Hood Challenge, to begin in early 2027.

Challenge Eligibility Requirements

I2SL is looking for a range of lab building types and locations across the world to participate in Year 1 of the Challenge. However, space is limited in the first year of the Challenge, so participation may be limited within geographic regions and lab sectors, and registration may close early in 2027. I2SL will review all participation applications and will notify all accepted participants. Participation is not guaranteed and I2SL decisions are final.

The prerequisites to participate in Year 1 are as follows:

• Any organization that has laboratory buildings can participate in the Challenge.
• Lab owners from across the world can participate.
• Only one building per campus or site is allowed to compete in the Challenge during Year 1. For organizations with more than one location or campus, up to five locations can sign up to participate.
• The lab types represented can include research labs, teaching labs, manufacturing facilities, or any other lab type.
• The selected building must contain at least 10 fume hoods.

The following will not qualify:

• Multiple buildings on the same campus or site.
• Individual laboratory spaces or suites within a building that register alone.
• Buildings with fewer than 10 fume hoods.
• Registered participants who fail to complete the required Challenge steps.

Challenge Rules

By registering for the Fume Hood Challenge, organizations commit to the following:

• Assign an individual to be the Challenge Coordinator, who will serve as a single point of contact per site.
• Identify a single building per site to participate in the Challenge in Year 1. 
• Use the free I2SL Lab Benchmarking Tool (LBT) to submit building and fume hood data and use the free AIM Report software demo to obtain savings estimates.
• Conduct a shut-the-sash competition and associated educational efforts in the selected building at a time between January and June of 2027.
• Complete challenge activities and submissions by the deadlines outlined in the Challenge instructions.
• Verify building data or respond to questions as requested by I2SL during the verification and judging process.
• Recognize that I2SL decisions on Challenge rules and judging are final.
• Agree to be publicly recognized by I2SL if the building is chosen as a winner.

Data Use and Contact Information Sharing Guidelines

I2SL collects participant information and Challenge data to administer the International Fume Hood Challenge, evaluate performance, determine awards, measure energy savings, identify best practices, and improve the program.

Internal Use: I2SL may use submitted organization and building information, participant contact details, fume hood and equipment information, operating practices, energy consumption, and Challenge results for program administration, benchmarking, analysis, reporting, and recognition.

Sponsor Information Sharing: To support the Challenge and provide benefits to its sponsors, I2SL may share participating organization and building names, equipment type and brand information, and aggregated or summarized Challenge results, including energy savings, performance trends, and best practices. Information sharing will be consistent with the Challenge's sponsorship agreements.

Privacy and Participant Choice: Individual participant contact information, including names and email addresses, will only be shared with eligible sponsors when participants expressly opt in. Providing contact information for sponsor sharing is voluntary and may qualify participants for additional Challenge points. Declining to share personal contact information will not prevent participation in the Challenge.

I2SL will use reasonable measures to protect participant information and limit disclosures to appropriate Challenge administration, reporting, and sponsorship purposes.