Discovering Solutions

The Institute on the Environment supports a range of multidisciplinary research initiatives aimed at shaping transformative solutions to challenges at the intersection of society and the environment. Our diverse portfolio includes programs, discovery grants, resident fellowships and mini grants that focus on grand challenges related to energy, food and land use, freshwater, population and development, and whole systems. While our roots are in academia, partners from business, industry, government and other sectors are integral to all aspects of our work.

Energy

We’re creating the science, technology and policy structures needed to advance renewable energy.

Ongoing Programs:
Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE)
Discovery Grants:
Islands in the Sun

Food & Land Use

We’re tackling issues related to land use, deforestation, agriculture and food security from local to global scales.

Ongoing Programs:
Global Landscapes Initiative
Natural Capital Project
Discovery Grants:
Plant Data Synthesis
The Boreal Forest Project

FreshWater

We’re dedicated to understanding fresh- water resources such as large lakes and rivers in a changing world.

Ongoing Programs:
River Life Program
Discovery Grants:
Global Great Lakes
Mapping Water
Improving Urban Vegetation for Water Quality


Population & Development

We're addressing challenges related to population and development as the planet approaches 9 billion people by mid-century.

Ongoing Programs:
Terra Populus
Discovery Grants:
Global Health & the Environment
Household Stove Change-Out
Whole Village Project

Whole Systems

We’re redefining how knowledge is created and used to solve global sustainability challenges through collaborative, stakeholder-driven research.

Ongoing Programs:
NorthStar Initiative
Discovery Grants:
None at this time

Other Initiatives

In addition to research initiatives, the Institute hosts several programs and grants focusing on engagement and education.

Ongoing Programs:
Acara
Dialogue Earth
Sustainability Education
Discovery Grants:
Earthducation
Science on a Sphere