Funding opportunity for the University of Pennsylvania community only

A Research Community consists of an interdisciplinary group engaged in studying a common theme of broad environmental significance in one of three defined tracks: Stewardship of Nature, Climate Action, and Societal Resilience. Each one must include at least one public-facing outcome and offer opportunities for students to get involved. The call for proposals for AY 23-24 opens on February 14 and closes on March 15. Up to four communities will be awarded up to $25,000 in April.

The tracks defined for this opportunity are listed below, including a list of key concepts associated with each track.

Stewardship of Nature: preservation, restoration, valuation, habitat, biodiversity, ecology, nature-based solutions

Climate Action: decarbonization, mitigation, adaptation, sequestration, migration, science-based targets

Societal Resilience: human vitality (health, wellness, justice), ecological health, economic prosperity, responsible consumption (extraction, production, pollution, disposal), disruption preparedness

Applications must be faculty-led and multidisciplinary. There must be a clear role for students, and staff members and external partners may also be included. This is a one-year opportunity with the possibility of renewal for up to three years. Successful applications will engage multiple disciplines and have cultural, social, and political dimensions that open up the possibility for on-going interdisciplinary engagement. The scope of impact can range from local to global.