Donor Participation Opportunities
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Research conducted at CU-Boulder isn't just exciting; it is hugely beneficial - to students, to the state of Colorado, to the economy, and to society. But there's no resting on our laurels. To build on our great foundation and stay competitive in the world economy, we invite you to partner with us as we embark on some major research initiatives.
Our top two funding priorities are:
Energy Initiative
The Energy Initiative (EI) was launched in 2005 to help find solutions for the world's urgent energy needs. In the summer of 2009, it launched a joint-institute with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). With more than 180 faculty and researchers engaged in some type of energy research at CU-Boulder, the initiative builds on existing strengths in climate and environmental science, behavioral studies, policy analysis, and entrepreneurship to seek answers to a growing global crisis.
The Energy Initiative acts as a catalyst to bring researchers from multiple fields together to address key problems and opportunities. Research efforts range from energy-efficient construction to energy storage, from solar and wind energy to hydrogen production. By 2008, the initiative had 43 funded research projects in renewable and sustainable energy.
GeoSciences Initiative
CU-Boulder's Geosciences Initiative (GI), addresses one of society's greatest challenges: environmental sustainability. The initiative reflects a general recognition that Earth is not limitless - that there are observable and accelerating changes in climate, the health of ecosystems, and the purity of air, water, and land. The effort builds upon a tradition of excellence in earth and atmospheric research in order to meet the challenges of sustainability and environmental change. Nearly 800 faculty and more than 1,000 graduate students are involved in related projects reaching beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Several issues have been identified in the initiative's planning stages:
- development of graduate and undergraduate education programs,
- linkages with business and government,
- assessment protocols,
- hiring structures and faculty participation,
- governance structures,
- stakeholder needs,
- and facilities needs.
Making a Gift
We invite your contributions for these worthy purposes, and we give a hearty thank you to those of you who have contributed in the past.
To discuss your ideas and interests in giving, please contact Pat Sullivan, Senior Director of Development at the CU-Foundation, at (303) 541-1475 or pat.sullivan@cufund.org, or make an online gift today by clicking on one of the "Make a Gift Online" buttons.