Fueling Innovation
Over the past two decades, research grant programs in the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy have generated important discoveries and pioneered new fields of study in pursuit of sustainability goals.
Powered entirely by philanthropy, these early- and mid-stage grants are among the few resources available to fund high-risk, high-reward projects that fall outside the bounds of government agencies or are too early in their development for private-sector investment. Successful projects have launched major research enterprises, generated patents and start-up companies, and driven policy changes benefiting communities and ecosystems around the world.
Expanding the grant-making capacity of these programs, including the new program in the Institute for Sustainable Societies, is one way the school can begin to have an immediate impact on the most critical challenges facing people and the planet.
- Environmental Venture Projects (Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment)
- Realizing Environmental Innovation Program (Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment)
- Energy Seed Grants (Precourt Institute for Energy)
- Precourt Pioneering Projects (Precourt Institute for Energy)
- Sustainable Societies Research Grant Program
Dollar-for-dollar matching funds are available for gifts of $50,000 or more to some programs.*
Individual named funds can be established with gifts of $250,000 or more (125,000+ for match-qualifying gifts*). These funds may be named for the donor or someone the donor wishes to honor.
*Please see the Sustainability Matching Program for details.

Safe at the Source
An automatic chlorine dispenser installed at shared community water points reduces rates of diarrhea in children.
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AI for Environmental Justice
Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to make energy systems more sustainable, affordable, resilient, and fair to all socioeconomic groups.
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Wastewater as a Resource
Paving the way to mining sewage for valuable materials that could someday power smartphones and airplanes.
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Fumes Into Fuel
A new catalyst speeds the process of creating gasoline from carbon dioxide.
Full storyFor more information, please contact:
Jennifer Judas, Associate Dean for Development
650-723-1942 or jjudas@stanford.edu
Photo banner at top of page: Guangchao Li, technical director of the Environmental Measurements Facility, speaks to a group of students in the lab. Photo by Christine Baker.