The 2030 Project Research-to-Impact Fast Grants will advance Cornell’s climate research efforts to accelerate impact. The inaugural call for proposals invites innovative approaches from all Cornell faculty to launch or advance results-oriented research. Fast grant awards range from $10,000 to $25,000.

“Cornell University is taking action now to craft climate solutions in this decisive decade,” said Benjamin Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Co-Chair of The 2030 Project. “Cornell is positioned to innovate through the development of new technologies and techniques, affecting government policy, supporting new action by companies and businesses, and supporting community justice by investing now in efforts led by faculty. The 2030 Project Fast Grants will bolster Cornell’s existing momentum on climate action.”

The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability will administer the grantmaking process on behalf of The 2030 Project leadership. Designed to build upon the success of other responsive and impact-oriented funding mechanisms, requests for funding for the Fast Grants will be reviewed by a faculty advisory committee, with a decision made on a rolling basis within ten days of receipt of a proposal. Submissions for this first round of fast grant funding will be accepted until September 19, 2022, or until the inaugural funding has been exhausted.

“The 2030 Project harnesses Cornell Atkinson’s staff and programs in new ways that fulfill the shared vision of Cornell’s leadership to accelerate novel research from across the colleges and channel results into large scale, long-term impact,” said David Lodge, the Francis J. DiSalvo director of the Cornell Atkinson. “The new Fast Grants are a key step in bolstering Cornell’s extensive and deep expertise on climate.”

Faculty are also encouraged to consider more far-reaching projects through Research-to-Impact Big Ideas funding listed among research-to-impact opportunities. Where possible, the initiative’s leadership aims to prioritize scalable projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, advance human flourishing, and prepare for a warming world through transformative systems. 

As a critical component of the ambitious university-wide fundraising campaign, “To Do the Greatest Good,” The 2030 Project addresses select primary drivers of the climate crisis by seeding new research, supporting collaborations, and bolstering creative educational and entrepreneurial approaches to develop the food and farms of the future, the energy of the future, the materials of the future, and the societies of the future that will support human flourishing without negative climate consequences. With support from alumni and friends, The 2030 Project is positioned to move quickly to forge an all-hands-on-deck approach to mobilize Cornell’s transdisciplinary expertise and resources to address the planet’s most pressing challenge.

John McKain is the director of strategic communications and marketing for Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.