Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS), in partnership with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) led by the commitment for excellence by Prof. Juliana Jalaludin, have been selected as grantees of the prestigious EPIC Air Quality Fund for the 2026 cohort.
Selected from a highly competitive global pool with an acceptance rate of just 10%, this grant marks a significant milestone in expanding open-access environmental monitoring in Southeast Asia.
Advancing PM2.5 Monitoring and Policy in Malaysia
The funded project focuses on deploying high-density air quality monitoring solutions designed to capture fine particulate matter PM2.5 data across Malaysia. PM2.5 poses major public health risks due to its ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and bloodstream.
Through this collaboration, GO AQS and UPM will combine technical expertise and academic rigor to:
- Deploy Localized Sensors: Expand the coverage of actionable, real-time PM2.5 monitoring nodes.
- Open-Source Environmental Data: Ensure air quality metrics are publicly accessible to researchers, local authorities, and citizens.
- Drive Health-Centric Policy: Leverage localized data to support evidence-based, data-driven air quality standards and public health policy interventions across Malaysia.
“Securing this award alongside UPM reflects a shared commitment to environmental transparency. With an acceptance rate of only 10%, we are deeply honored to be part of this effort. Working side by side with local experts allows us to address air quality challenges directly at the community level and accelerate data-driven policies.”
Sotirios Papathanasiou
Global Impact of the 2026 Cohort
The addition of the 2026 grantees brings the EPIC Air Quality Fund’s reach to 70 awardee organizations across 44 countries. By empowering local entities with funding, infrastructure, and technical support, the fund continues to bridge critical air quality data gaps worldwide, particularly in regions disproportionately affected by atmospheric pollution.
Through this partnership and the project we call AIRCHAMP, GO AQS and UPM aim to create a scalable blueprint for localized environmental monitoring, contributing to cleaner air and better public health outcomes across Malaysia and the broader region.
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