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Request for Joint Research Proposals: TNC/Cornell Atkinson

Apply by Nov. 24, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET

Timeline
Birds flying over wetlands (iStock)

The Nature Conservancy & Cornell Atkinson:
2027 Request for Joint Research Proposals

Overview

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability welcome competitive proposals for joint collaborative research or workshops that are relevant to informing environmental policy and have achievable one-year impact goals.

TNC and Cornell Atkinson are partnering to accelerate problem-solving research relevant to national and international environmental policy discussions. The partnership between TNC and Cornell Atkinson focuses on actionable, policy-relevant initiatives that address critical environmental and sustainability challenges.

Collaborative research teams should include researchers from both Cornell University and TNC and a clear collaboration plan. All proposals must demonstrate meaningful input and collaboration between Cornell University and TNC. Successful proposals will outline how each team member contributes to the project’s goals, ensuring a synergy that leverages the strengths of both organizations.

These projects must clearly outline a pathway to impact, demonstrating how they will advance research, influence policy, or deliver tangible environmental outcomes. Work can be basic or applied but should always have a clear pathway to impact and an emphasis on actionable results.

In 2026 we awarded five new collaborative projects. Through this new RFP, we plan to fund up to four new projects.

To facilitate collaboration and matchmaking efforts between organizations, please fill out this Expression of Interest form by September 9, 2026. The form is designed to collect information from researchers both at Cornell and TNC who have a draft idea and are looking for a collaborator.

Timeline

  • July 21: Request for Joint Proposals opens
  • August 19, 4-5 p.m. ET: Info Session for Cornell faculty and TNC scientists (Register)
  • September 9, 5:00 p.m. ET: Optional Expression of Interest due (Submit)
  • October 2, 5:00 p.m. ET: Optional Letters of Intent due (Submit)
  • November 24, 5:00 p.m. ET: Full proposals due (Submit)
  • End of January 2027: Awards announced

Priority Themes

During this grant funding cycle, we welcome research focused on overlapping priorities currently being articulated in selected TNC’s priority areas and Cornell Atkinson’s priority research areas. Both organizations prioritize research that incorporates environmental justice considerations. Projects that combine two or more priorities are encouraged.

TNC Goals:

Cornell Atkinson Research Themes:

Projects outside the specified priority areas (e.g. biodiversity, nature) may also receive funding through this RFP if they demonstrate substantial organizational commitment, have a strong and capable team, and present a work plan that aligns with a robust theory of change.

Eligibility

  • Each application cycle, applicants may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on only one joint Cornell Atkinson-TNC proposal. PIs may still serve as a co-PI on other proposals for this program.
  • 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. Co-PIs may have a primary appointment in any Cornell college or school, and must currently be a Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellow.

Funding

Proposers may request funding up to $110,000 USD for one year, with most research proposals expected to range from $60,000-$90,000 USD. Up to $10,000 USD can be included for TNC (salaries or as needed); this needs to be included in the budget and justification.

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 October 2, 2026.

LOI sections include:

  • Lead collaborator names, contact information and bios (Cornell and TNC)
  • Project title (max 150 characters)
  • Problem statement (up to 2,000 characters with spaces)
  • Short project description (up to 2,000 characters with spaces)
  • Intended impact pathway(s)
  • Priority area alignment
  • Project location

How to Apply

Please use this online proposal form to submit your proposal before 5 p.m. ET on November 24, 2026. Late or incomplete proposals will not be reviewed.

Short Project Description (100-125 words, required)

Abstract will be submitted via the online application form and does not need to be included in your proposal PDF. Summarize your proposed project, methods, and anticipated impact clearly and concisely.

Proposal Narrative (required)

Applicants must address the following within a 3-page limit (excludes figures, citations, budget). Please upload a PDF (11-point font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced) with the following information: 

  1. Title (max 150 characters)
  2. Problem Statement
    • Describe the research challenge and the work to be undertaken.
    • Why is this issue important for sustainability?
  3. Scientific Context
    • Explain the project’s scientific importance.
    • How will the proposed research contribute to understanding, managing, or solving specific environmental challenges?
  4. Implementation Strategy
    • Outline the scope of work the team will conduct in support of the project’s objectives.
    • Explain the likely or targeted pathway for the project’s impact, including how the proposed work will result in policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, or real-world applications.
    • What are the key assumptions and risk management strategies?
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Collaboration Plan
    • Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of both Cornell and TNC collaborators in the project.
    • Highlight how the collaboration integrates TNC’s strengths in practical applications and policy with Cornell’s research capabilities to deliver impactful environmental outcomes.
    • If applicable, demonstrate alignment with ongoing TNC initiatives, key teams, or existing partnerships that will strengthen project continuity and buy-in.
  8. 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.
  9. Budget Justification (does not count against your page limit; use this budget justification template)
  10. Letter of Support from TNC (required; does not count against your page limit)
    • TNC Co-PI(s) should clearly delineate their role(s) and contributions in the project.

Budget and Justification (required)

Use this budget template | Save budget as “2027-TNC-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.
  • 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 up to $3,000 in publication fees.
    • Up to $10,000 USD can be included for TNC (salaries or as needed) and needs to be included in the budget and justification.
    • 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.
  • Please note that an additional 10% indirect cost (IDC) should be applied to the proposed amount, excluding any IDC-exempt costs.

Questions

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