Colorado State University

 The CSU School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES) is inviting proposals for interdisciplinary sustainability research projects in the amount of $30,000 over a two-year period, during CSU FY27 & FY28. 

SoGES is dedicated to developing, documenting, and sharing the knowledge needed to advance global sustainability. The School was created to advance sustainability research across colleges and disciplinary boundaries, and with key external partners.  

Our Global Challenge Research Team (GCRT) program provides seed funding to foster new, creative approaches to complex sustainability problems and enable initial steps toward lasting solutions. We are particularly supportive of innovative and exploratory approaches to research and problem-solving. Successful proposals will address sustainability grand challenges that sit at the nexus of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. 

We seek creative proposals that are highly innovative and exploratory in both research questions and approach. Team composition should also be novel and experimental, bringing together diverse perspectives, worldviews, career stages, disciplines, backgrounds, genders, and cultures. 

SoGES is now home to the CSU Climate Initiative, which brought additional funding for GCRTs; approximately half of funding will go to projects with a clear focus on climate change. 

Eligibility Requirements 

• We seek a shared leadership model in our applicants where all investigators are listed as co-PIs; the co-PI team must include at least three co-PIs from a minimum of two different CSU colleges. If the team (or a subset) has already been working together, proposals must explain how the new research differs from past work. 

• Ineligible applicants: SoGES Advisory Council members (may participate but not as co-PIs), students (though we encourage student training and involvement), and SoGES staff and faculty. 

Expectations of GCRTs 

SoGES provides support for meeting and event planning, basic online presence, budget help, space, and communications. Teams must engage regularly with SoGES during their funding cycle. 

Each year, GCRTs must submit a brief mid-year survey and an annual report. In year 2, teams will present results to the SoGES community. Year-2 funding depends on demonstrated progress and review. Teams that fail to expend year-1 funds or meet goals will not receive year-2 funds. 

Timeline and Award 

Applications Due: February 4, 2026

Awardees Announced: March 2026 

Funding Period: July 1, 2026 –June 30, 2028 (Must spend or encumber by May 31). 
Year-2 funding depends on steady progress in Year-1 with a clear spending plan. 

Award Amount: $10,000 (FY27) + $20,000 (FY28) 

To Apply 

Click here to apply: https://smr.to/p106608 

Deadline: February 4, 2026 
Submit a 3-page proposal (PDF) in 12-pt Calibri, 1″ margins. 
(Team List, Budget, and CVs [items 6-8 below] are not counted in the 3 pages.) 

Include: 

1. GCRT Name: Short and pithy, for website and communications.
2. Short Description: Three-five sentences summarizing the work in plain language for use in SoGES publications.
3. Problem Statement: Describe the sustainability challenge(s) addressed and research objectives.
4. Novelty: Explain how the research question, approach, and team composition is novel and creative. 
5. Plan of Work (Years 1–2): Methods, timeline, deliverables, metrics of success, and long-term vision for future work or fundraising by the team.
6. Team List: (1) All team members, titles, affiliations, co-PIs, and main contact. (2) Brief description of team composition, rationale, and how the team is distinct from past collaborations. (3) Include optional NGO, government, or private sector partners.
7. Budget: Plan for both years, noting any additional or pending funds. Funds will be administered by SoGES, not college business offices. Course buyouts are allowed but depend on department rates and department head approval. Salary is allowed for post-doctoral scholars, student researchers, research associates/scientists, and for 9-month faculty members for summer salary. Salary support for PIs should not make up the majority of the budget. Alcohol, tuition, sub- and mini-grants are not allowed. 
8. CVs: For all co-PIs. 

Evaluation Criteria 

Proposals should: 

• Address sustainability grand challenges and consider matters at the intersection of social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. 

• Include a diverse PI team from multiple CSU colleges and at least one early-career faculty member or researcher. 

• Clearly distinguish the proposed research from existing work. 

• Demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and innovation in project design. 

• Have potential for long-term return on investment (such as longer-term partnerships, possible funding opportunities, or other measures). 

 For more information and questions, contact Darren Cockrell: [email protected]