Data Centers Research and Practice Guide

The rapid growth of data centers across the U.S. has been driven by the increasing computing demands of artificial intelligence (AI). These developments are now a source of political strife in many communities. 

These facilities have raised significant concerns about their land, energy, and water use and impacts on community health and well-being, biodiversity, and the climate. Data centers have also negatively affected the resources of many underserved and historically marginalized rural, suburban, and urban communities. 

ASLA and the ASLA Fund seek proposals for a research study and practice guide on data center developments in the U.S. 

• The research study will identify existing and developing best practices for data center community engagement, siting, design, and operations in the U.S. and abroad. 
• The practice guide will distill the research and create best practice community engagement, planning, design, and maintenance guidelines for landscape architects to apply when working on data center projects in the U.S.

The research and practice guide will be published and freely available on ASLA.org in September 2027. 

The research and practice guide will be used to advance research, advocacy, and practice goals with a range of audiences:

• Federal, state, and local policy-makers and regulators
• Community leaders, advocates, and activists
• Allied professionals (planners, architects, engineers, ecologists) 
• Landscape architects
• Academics in other disciplines, potential research partners
• Potential donors
• Landscape architecture clients
• Landscape architecture students

Research findings should be consolidated into a written report (Google Document) and include the following deliverables:

The grant research period will run from January to September 2027.

Proposals and all deliverables will be reviewed by:

• A four-member panel of peer academics and practitioners
• ASLA National Team
• Academic, student, and practitioner members of the ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee (CBAC) Advocacy Subcommittee

Budget  

$20,000 

This budget is for content development and image development and curation. ASLA will manage the graphic design process for the research study and practice guide, consulting with the grantee. 

The first installment ($5,000) will be paid at the beginning of the project (within 30 days after the grant agreement is signed by The ASLA Fund and grantee in January 2027). The second installment ($5,000) upon receipt and approval of phase one deliverables (within 30 days after April 30, 2027). The third installment ($5,000) upon receipt and approval of phase two deliverables (within 30 days after July 16, 2027). The fourth installment ($5,000) upon publication (within 30 days after September 1, 2027).

Note: For proposals from academic institutions, the ASLA Fund limits indirect costs to 12 percent. See ASLA Fund Indirect Cost Policy. 

Who Can Submit a Proposal 

• Landscape architecture academics at a U.S.-based institution with experience on at least one data center project in the U.S. 
• Landscape architecture practitioners at a U.S.-based firm with experience on at least one data center project in the U.S. 
• Multidisciplinary firms with landscape architecture teams at a U.S.-based firm or organization that have experience on at least one data center project in the U.S. 
• Teams of landscape architecture / multidisciplinary firms and landscape architecture academics at U.S.-based institutions
• ASLA members and non-members in the landscape architecture community

How to Submit a Proposal

To submit a grant proposal, please provide the following information by Friday, November 20, 2026 11.59 PM EST via this form:  

For the research grant, the following is required:

1) CV (no more than 5 pages, PDF, 11 point size minimum)

2) Cover letter (500 words or less, PDF)  

• Outline why you are best suited to develop the research and practice guide
• Highlight any prior relevant research and practice experience
• Include information about any additional team members that will be contributing to your effort (full team disclosure is not required)

3) Research methodology (250 words or less, PDF)

• Outline your process for finding, documenting, and evaluating the quality and relevance of research 
• Outline your research assumptions and potential limitations
• Outline your approach to the analysis and synthesis of the research

4) Research sample (PDF)

One example of published or internal research

5) Writing sample (PDF)

One example of published narrative writing for non-academic audiences (articles, blog posts, newsletter, etc.); identify if any editor involved

Each of these five application elements will be scored on a scale of 1 to 5 by members of the selection and review panel. Each element will be weighted equally.

Please reach out with any questions at [email protected]