The Harvard University Climate Change Solutions Fund established by President Emerita Drew Gilpin Faust in 2014 supports research and policy initiatives intended to reduce the risks of climate change, hasten the transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to those that rely on renewable energy sources, to develop methods for diminishing the impact of existing fossil fuel-based energy systems on the climate, to understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change, and to propel scientific, technological, legal, behavioral, policy and artistic innovations needed to accelerate progress toward cleaner energy, improved human health, and a greener world.

The 2020/21 application is closed as of October 16, 2020 and awards will be announced in April 2021. The 2021/22 cycle will open in July 2021. You may review the 2020/21 Request for Proposals for reference only, as it may be updated for the 2021/22 application cycle. Please contact vpr_grants@harvard.edu with any questions not answered in the RFP.

To date there have been six funding cycles, with a total of 50 awards made to research teams across the University. Read about the 2019/20 awardees here.

Watch the video below to see several awardees discussing their work and the role of the Harvard research community in understanding, counteracting, and mitigating climate change.

Climate Change Solutions Fund

About the Fund

The prospect of long-term global climate change—as well as immediate threats to the natural environment—requires the transformation of the energy system on which we rely. Eighty percent of the world’s energy is currently derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Meeting the anticipated growth in world energy demand—from population growth as well as rising living standards in emerging economies—through reliance on these resources alone would be difficult, costly, and environmentally damaging. Two of the greatest challenges of our time are to change the energy system and...

How much funding is available?

Research grants of up to $150,000 will be available. Up to $1 million in total grant funding is to be allocated for the upcoming funding rounds.

When does the application process begin?

Applications are accepted between July and October, with specific dates still to be announced.

Should you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please email vpr_grants@harvard.edu.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications are invited from individuals who hold a faculty appointment at a Harvard school and who have principal investigator rights at that school. Junior faculty are especially encouraged to apply. Harvard Medical School faculty must hold a faculty appointment with PI rights in one of HMS’s basic or social science departments.

Doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars may apply for an award provided they have an identified faculty mentor who will provide a letter of recommendation and will supervise their...