2026 Request for Joint Research Proposals:
Environmental Defense Fund & Cornell Atkinson
Overview
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability are excited to announce two funding tracks to support collaborative projects that advance environmental sustainability through research and policy-focused solutions. Each track invites joint proposals from Cornell University researchers and EDF scientists, economists, and practitioners, with the requirement that both entities contribute meaningfully to the project’s success. This call supersedes all previous RFPs in our collaborative granting opportunities.
With the support of the David and Patricia Atkinson Foundation, we intend to fund 5-10 collaborative projects per year over the next 4 years, with funding distributed to both EDF and Cornell co-PIs as determined by grant type and budget.
We offer two funding tracks — the Research Track and the Impact Track — tailored to support projects at varying stages of readiness and maturity, with funding up to $200,000 per project. These tracks enable teams to transfer innovative ideas into real-world solutions.
The partnership between EDF and Cornell Atkinson focuses on actionable, policy-relevant initiatives that address critical environmental and sustainability challenges. These projects must clearly outline a pathway to impact, demonstrating how they will advance the research field, influence policy, or deliver tangible climate and sustainability outcomes.
All proposals must demonstrate meaningful input and collaboration between Cornell University and EDF. Successful proposals will outline how each team member contributes to the project’s goals, ensuring a synergy that leverages the strengths of both organizations.
Timeline
- July 21: Request for Joint Proposals opens
- August 11, 3:00 p.m.: Info Session (Register)
- October 14-16: Collaboration-building Workshop (Register)
- November 17, 5:00 p.m. ET: Optional Letters of Intent (LOI) due (Submit)
- December 15: LOI feedback returned to applicant teams
- January 12, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET: Full proposals due (Apply)
- Early March 2026: Funding decisions announced
- Early May 2026: Funds become available
- June 30, 2026: Latest project start date
Priority Themes
Proposals for either track should address overlapping priority areas articulated by EDF’s Vision 2030 and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Where relevant, proposals should reflect considerations of environmental justice within their design and goals.
EDF Goals:
- Stabilizing the climate
- Strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive in a changing climate
- Support people’s health
EDF Focus Areas:
- Methane
- Clean Electricity
- Fuels and Feedstocks
- Clean Transportation
- Agriculture, Water, and Food
- Forests
- Fisheries and Oceans
- Healthy Communities
Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability:
Eligibility
Cornell Atkinson funds are subject to the same restrictions as any other university research funding. Applications are open to any Cornell University-eligible Principal Investigator. PIs may have a primary appointment in any Cornell college or school, and must currently be a Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellow.
Funding Tracks
Two-Track Approach: From Research to Impact
To maximize impact, we offer two distinct funding tracks — Research Track and Impact Track — designed to align with your project’s readiness and maturity. Refer to the table below to determine the most suitable track, using the deliverable examples provided as a guide.
Project Maturity and Readiness Scale
| Stage | Description | Likely Track | Example Deliverables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundational Research | Theoretical exploration or novel hypothesis development; scientific discovery phase | Research Track | Research papers, early-stage datasets, conceptual frameworks, theory of change on how the research results may be relevant for future policy or practice change |
| Applied Research & Tool Development | Early-stage applied work with method/tool development or modeling | Research Track | Prototype tools, simulation models, working hypotheses, identification of how the research results may be relevant for future policy or practice change |
| Proof-of-Concept & Pilot Testing | Prototype, model, or intervention is tested in controlled or limited environments | Could fit either track depending on emphasis | Pilot project, stakeholder feedback, case studies, demonstration that the research results are relevant for future policy or practice change |
| Pre-Deployment / Implementation Planning | Tool, technology, or policy is nearly ready for action; team is engaging stakeholders and planning implementation of strategies designed to enable positive change | Impact Track | Use of results, technology or tool to support policy proposals, stakeholder strategies, practice changes, beta tools tested by stakeholders |
| Implementation & Scale-Up | Deployment or testing in real-world settings; outcomes toward strategic initiatives tracked | Impact Track | Use of results or tool for policy change, adoption of solutions, published guidance, toolkits used by stakeholders |
Research Track: Early-Stage Discovery, Development, and Prototyping
The Research Track supports projects in the early to mid-stage development that advance scientific understanding that is expected to support application in the future. These efforts focus on generating new knowledge, developing or testing methods or tools, and/or producing data that will ultimately enable future implementation or advocacy. Projects in this track are not yet ready for policy application or stakeholder deployment, but they build the intellectual and technical foundation for those future steps. However, the teams should be able to articulate the likely pathway(s) by which the outputs and outcomes of this project will lead to real-world impact in the future.
The research track is designed for:
- Projects at stages 1-3 on the Project Maturity and Readiness Scale
- Projects that emphasize scientific discovery, tool/method development, or proof-of-concept testing
- Note: If scientific outputs are the primary outcomes of the proposed work, then the team must articulate specifically how/where the discovery/knowledge fits within the future pathway to impact.
Typical Activities:
- Exploratory or hypothesis-driven research
- Data generation, modeling, or analytical method development
- Early-stage tool design or testing
- Collaborative planning for future implementation phases
- Note: Research Track projects are conducted by the Cornell co-PI with guidance and regular discussion with EDF co-PI
Expected deliverables may include:
- Peer-reviewed publications or preprints
- Datasets, code packages, or models
- Analytical frameworks or prototypes
- Pilot or experimental results
- Knowledge products that lay the groundwork for later-stage application
Impact Track: Deployment, Policy Influence, and Real-World Integration
The Impact Track supports projects that are ready for implementation or direct application in stakeholder, community, or policy contexts. These projects apply mature science and tools to deliver measurable outcomes, inform decision-making, or support policy and regulatory change. The proposal should discuss how learning and application will continue beyond the lifetime of the project. Our emphasis is on scaling solutions, engaging stakeholders, and achieving tangible, real-world impact.
The Impact Track is designed for:
- Projects at stages 3-5 on the Project Maturity and Readiness Scale
- Projects with tools, frameworks, or evidence bases that are well-developed and ready for stakeholder testing or implementation
- Note: Focus is on action, integration, or uptake by external partners or institutions
Typical Activities:
- Stakeholder co-design or field deployment
- Policy translation or brief development
- Application of solutions in community or regulatory contexts
- Piloting and scaling of tools, practices, or policies
- Note: Impact Track projects are primarily conducted by EDF, with guidance, regular discussion, and potential outcome metrics conducted by the Cornell co-PI
Expected deliverables may include:
- Policy briefs, implementation strategies, or guidance documents
- Stakeholder workshops, field pilots, or demonstrations
- Regulatory proposals or policy impact analysis
- Tools or methods used in practice by external partners
- Evidence of adoption or measurable environmental outcomes
Funding
- $25,000 to $100,000 for a 1-year Research Track Project
- Funding typically awarded to the Cornell Co-PI
- We anticipate that 3-5 projects per year will be selected for this type of funding
- Up to $200,000 for a 2-year Research Track Project, preferably supported by a postdoctoral fellow
- Where projects involve postdoctoral fellows, preference will be given to those for which eligible fellows (e.g., PhD, available for employment in the U.S.) have already been identified
- The postdoc may be based at/supervised by either EDF or Cornell; the supervising organization will receive the award for postdoc salary.
- We anticipate that 1-2 projects per year will be selected for this type of funding
- Up to $200,000 for a 2-year Impact Track Project
- Funding can be granted to either or both organizations; typically, a larger share goes to EDF for on-the-ground implementation activities
- We anticipate that 1-2 projects per year will be selected for this type of funding
Note:
- We are seeking all types of projects, which will enable us to make more total awards.
- Beyond the project budget, EDF will cover 5% of the EDF lead Co-PI salary for Research Track Grants.
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Letters of Intent are recommended from one of the co-principal investigators in advance of submitting a proposal. LOI reviews are intended to result in stronger proposals rather than to exclude any projects from advancing to the proposal stage.
Please use this online LOI form to submit your letter before 5 p.m. ET on November 17, 2025.
LOI sections include:
- Co-PI names and bios
- Project title (max 150 characters)
- Describe the central challenge you aim to address through this project
(up to 1,200 characters with spaces) - Describe the project aims, rationale, activities, and pathway to impact
(up to 1,200 characters with spaces) - Priority area alignment for EDF and Cornell
How to Apply
Please use this online Proposal form to submit your proposal before 5 p.m. ET on January 12, 2026.
Proposal Narrative (required)
Applicants must address the following within a 3-page limit (excludes figures, citations, budget)
- Proposal Abstract (100-125 words)
- Summarize your proposed project, methods, and anticipated impact clearly and concisely.
- Problem Statement
- Describe the research challenge and the work to be undertaken.
- Why is this issue important for sustainability, climate, energy, and/or environmental health
- Scientific/Economic Context
- Explain the project’s scientific importance.
- How will the proposed research contribute to understanding, managing, or solving specific environmental or sustainability challenges?
- Project Readiness & Track Justification (Half-page max)
- Applicants explain where they fall on the readiness scale and why their project belongs in that track.
- Pathway to Impact
- Research Track:
- Outline the anticipated outcomes or contributions to knowledge.
- Identify milestones and knowledge products that will be produced by the end of the project.
- Articulate the likely pathway(s) in which the outputs and outcomes of this project might eventually result in real-world impact
- Impact Track:
- Provide a clear pathway for the project’s impact, including how the proposed work will result in policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, or real-world applications.
- Describe who the beneficiaries of the implementation will be (e.g., policymakers, local communities, businesses).
- Identify specific rule changes, policies, or regulatory frameworks the project is targeting, and describe how the project’s outcomes will influence or inform those changes.
- Research Track:
- Deliverables
- Identify specific deliverables (e.g., datasets, frameworks, publications, presentations, models, or tools) that the project will produce.
- Clearly articulate how these outputs may or will support future implementation or policy development.
- Milestones and Timeline
- Outline an actionable timeline with specific milestones that track progress for implementation.
- Clearly link proposed milestones with anticipated outcomes or practical changes in decision-making or actions.
- Collaboration Plan
- Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of both Cornell and EDF collaborators in the project.
- Highlight how the collaboration integrates EDF’s strengths in practical applications and policy with Cornell’s research capabilities to deliver impactful environmental outcomes.
- If applicable, demonstrate alignment with ongoing EDF initiatives, key teams, or existing partnership support to strengthen project continuity and buy-in.
- Long-term Impact and Sustainability
- Highlight how the research can deliver lasting value, with potential for financial sustainability, scalability, and institutionalization beyond the funding period.
- Education and Training
- For 2-year Research Track projects, involvement of a postdoc who would also be enrolled in the EDF-Cornell Sustainability Leadership Program is preferred but not required. The postdoc can be either Cornell or EDF staff.
Budget and Justification (required)
Use this budget template | Save budget as “2026-EDF-CU-YourLastName.XLSX”.
Use this budget justification template | Include budget template at the end of your proposal PDF packet
- The Excel budget should be submitted as a separate file when you submit your proposal.
- The budget justification should be included at the end of your proposal. The budget justification does not count against your proposal page count.
- Please follow the budget and justification templates carefully and provide the requested level of detail.
- Indicative budget guidance (not an exhaustive list – please contact us with specific questions):
- Funds may be used to cover: personnel (excluding faculty salary), travel, supplies, equipment, and publication fees (up to $3,000).
- For Cornell PIs: Please note that Cornell Atkinson requires a cost share for tuition in line with sponsored research awards such as NSF. If graduate student tuition is built into the budget, the total tuition cost incurred must be cost-shared equally by Cornell Atkinson and your department or unit.
- Funds may not be used to cover faculty salary (including summer salary), laptops (unless it is dedicated to project work only), and staff bonuses.
- This is not an exhaustive list – please contact us with specific questions.
- For Cornell PIs: Cornell Atkinson will transfer allocated funds to an account in the Cornell proposer’s department. These funds have no indirect cost recovery associated with them.
More Information
If you have follow-up questions, contact:
- Cornell: Cindy Qiao (cq92@cornell.edu) or Patrick Beary (pbeary@cornell.edu)
- EDF: Doria Gordon (dgordon@edf.org)
Rolling EDF-Cornell Fast Grants
Overview
We understand that transformative change often requires acting in the moment, when opportunities for science, defense of science in U.S. Federal policymaking, or policy engagement are both truly urgent and significant. Therefore, in addition to our annual Environmental Defense Fund-Cornell Request for Proposals that funds projects via a Research Track or Impact Track, we will also offer up to four Rolling Fast Grants each academic year, providing the agility and support needed to deliver meaningful results when timing is critical. We will endeavor to review and respond to these proposals within two weeks and will make funding available as soon as possible thereafter.
Purpose
The Rolling EDF-Cornell Fast Grants program provides flexible funding to support EDF and Cornell teams in addressing time-sensitive, short-term (less than 12 months) opportunities with concrete deliverables.
Funding Amount
$5-$25K each
Typical Activities
Grants may support activities such as convening critical workshops, opportunistically collecting data, or capitalizing on opportunities to engage policymakers.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Please use this online Proposal form to submit your proposal before the deadline.
Proposal Narrative (required)
Applicants must address the following within a 2-page limit (excludes figures, citations, budget)
Applicants must address the following:
- Opportunity: Describe the specific, urgent, real-world impact opportunity – such as responding to a government request for information, addressing an upcoming legislative or regulatory change, contributing to a fast-moving public policy debate, or capturing critical data to inform decision-making during a narrow time window – and explain why immediate action is needed.
- Deliverables: Clearly outline the specific knowledge products or outputs (e.g., open letters, policy briefs, workshops, events, videos, reports) that the EDF and Cornell collaborative team plans to produce.
- Outcomes: Clearly explain the expected results or impact that would be achieved by meeting this timely demand.
- Timeline:
- Provide a timeline for the intended activities and deliverables
- Link timeline with the specific motivating opportunity
Budget and Justification (required)
Use this budget template | Save budget as “2026-EDF-CU-YourLastName.XLSX”.
Use this budget justification template | Include budget template at the end of your proposal PDF packet
- The Excel budget should be submitted as a separate file when you submit your proposal.
- The budget justification should be included at the end of your proposal. The budget justification does not count against your proposal page count.
- Please follow the budget and justification templates carefully and provide the requested level of detail.
- Indicative budget guidance:
- Funds may be used to cover: personnel (excluding faculty salary), travel, supplies, equipment, and any other relevant costs.
- For Cornell PIs: Please note that Cornell Atkinson requires a cost share for tuition in line with sponsored research awards such as NSF. If graduate student tuition is built into the budget, the total tuition cost incurred must be cost-shared equally by Cornell Atkinson and your department or unit.
- Funds may not be used to cover faculty salary (including summer salary), laptops (unless it is dedicated to project work only), and staff bonuses.
- This is not an exhaustive list – please contact us with specific questions.
- For Cornell PIs: Cornell Atkinson will transfer allocated funds to an account in the Cornell proposer’s department. These funds have no indirect cost recovery associated with them.
NOTE: Cornell Atkinson funds are subject to the same restrictions as any other university research funding. Applications are open to any Cornell University-eligible Principal Investigator.
Questions
- Cornell: Cindy Qiao, cq92@cornell.edu, Patrick Beary, pbeary@cornell.edu
- EDF: Doria Gordon, dgordon@edf.org
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