(ST. LOUIS, AP) — Washington University in St. Louis has been awarded a federal grant of about $300,000 for climate research.

The Environmental Protection Agency said in a release Wednesday that Washington University is among 13 institutions receiving a share of $4.3 million for climate research aimed at helping the federal government improve its air quality management and climate change models.

Lek Kadeli, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development, says the work will help improve models that states use to develop plans to reduce air pollution.

The EPA says it’s also contributing staff scientists to work as part of the effort. And researchers will have access to federal resources such as aircraft and towers to capture information.