Powering Up University-Wide Efforts
The Nicholas Institute bolsters energy, environment, and sustainability initiatives across Duke. We played a pivotal role in advancing the Duke Climate Commitment in its second year, overseeing university-wide research and external engagement opportunities. We also continued to offer transformative learning experiences to students across degree programs.
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Seed Program Launches Climate Research Across Duke
Forty-five Duke University scholars will pursue new research on sustainable, equitable solutions to address climate change and its effects, supported by Duke Climate Research Innovation Seed Program (CRISP) grants awarded in 2024. The Nicholas Institute oversees the CRISP grant process.
The second round of CRISP funding awarded nearly $700,000 to 12 teams to investigate topics such as equitable disaster recovery, community insurance, financing climate-smart agriculture, water quality challenges posed by sea level rise, forest-based carbon offsets, and more. This round’s Research Awards (up to $100,000) focused on climate and community resilience. The second round of CRISP awards was funded by a donor’s gift to support the Duke Climate Commitment.
By the Numbers: CRISP’s First Two Funding Rounds
dollars awarded
new research teams launched
Duke researchers supported
Duke schools represented by recipients
proposals submitted
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Duke Researchers, External Partners Explore Climate Collaborations Via New Symposia
Launched in February, the Duke Climate Collaboration Symposia focus on identifying opportunities for Duke University to make the most of its interdisciplinary expertise and convening power for meaningful impact. Each symposium features a public program highlighting perspectives on a significant climate issue, followed by private workshops for Duke researchers and invited guests to explore potential partnerships. The symposia are proposed and led by Duke experts, with the Nicholas Institute providing organizational and promotional support. Funding is provided by a gift from The Duke Endowment in support of the Duke Climate Commitment.
Duke Climate Collaboration Symposia
Learn about the first two symposia, both of which featured or were organized by Nicholas Institute experts.
As Duke experts pursue climate solutions, partnering with influential leaders outside the university in sustained ways will help ensure the scalability and durability of our efforts. Climate Leaders in Residence are committing to bring their ideas, experiences, and connections to our community, accelerating Duke’s impact today. By mentoring and interacting with Duke students, they will equip future leaders to influence climate decisions in their professional and personal lives.
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Climate Leaders in Residence Enhance Duke’s Climate Efforts
Duke University’s new Climate Leaders in Residence (CLIR) program brings top thought leaders on climate change to campus to enrich student learning and help advance bold, pragmatic climate research and initiatives. The Nicholas Institute is overseeing the program. Initial funding for the program comes from the Presidential Climate Action and Innovation Fund, an endowment established by the Nicholas Family in support of the Duke Climate Commitment.
Insurance executive Francis Bouchard joined Duke as the inaugural resident in early 2024. His work focuses on the insurance sector’s role in advancing climate solutions. Alison Taylor (chief sustainability officer at ADM and a Nicholas Institute advisory board member) began her residency at the start of the fall 2024 semester.
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Educational Offerings Inspire and Equip Future Leaders
The Nicholas Institute offers a robust slate of learning opportunities for Duke students across undergraduate and degree programs—and courses are only the beginning. The institute helps students connect with energy and environmental professionals and get hands-experience through events, field trips, interdisciplinary research projects, internships, and support of student-led efforts. In 2023–2024, students gained access to career advising and resources via a new senior career specialist focused on energy, environment, and sustainability (jointly hired by the Duke Career Center).
By the Numbers: Just a Few Student Opportunities Offered in FY 2024
students in 22 courses taught by Nicholas Institute experts
new student subscribers to Nicholas Institute email list
students on 14 Bass Connections in Energy & Environment teams
student assistants from 17 degree programs across Duke (and 2 other universities)
student organizers of 9 events during Energy Week at Duke 2023
students supported by Energy Internship Program
Education Highlight
Nicholas Institute Staff Honored with Presidential Award
Three Nicholas Institute faculty and staff—Bryan Koen, Luana Marangon Lima, and Colleen Nieto—are part of a team that received a 2023–2024 Duke University Presidential Award, the university’s highest staff and faculty honor. The team was recognized for their work on Bass Connections, a program that has given Duke students, faculty and staff the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines on research projects addressing complex societal problems since 2013. The Nicholas Institute serves as the administrative home for the Energy & Environment theme of the program, and institute experts frequently lead or take part in project teams.