Harvard Climate Change Solutions Fund (CCSF)

Harvard Climate Change Solutions Fund (CCSF)

Supports Harvard research and policy initiatives reducing climate change risks through renewable energy and adaptation.

The Harvard Climate Change Solutions Fund (CCSF) is a competitive internal grant program established in 2014 and administered through the Office of the Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability, which is led by the Salata Institute's director. The fund supports Harvard research and policy initiatives aimed at reducing climate change risks, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy development and climate impact preparation. Now in at least its eighth cycle, the CCSF has a documented history of substantial annual disbursements: the 2022 cycle distributed approximately $1.3 million across seven funded projects.

Projects are awarded up to $150,000 each for work spanning one to two years. Both Harvard faculty and students are eligible to apply, making the CCSF broader in eligibility than some other Salata programs that are restricted to faculty alone. Proposals must advance Harvard's research and policy goals around climate and sustainability; purely commercial or applied industry projects would fall outside scope. Open and deadline dates for the current (eighth) cycle had not been published at the time of the most recent data capture; applicants should monitor climate@harvard.edu and the Office of the Vice Provost website for cycle announcements.

To be competitive, applicants should emphasize clear connections to climate risk reduction and leverage Harvard's interdisciplinary expertise — the fund has historically rewarded projects that cross school and departmental boundaries. Applications are submitted through the Office of the Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability (climate@harvard.edu), and faculty leads are expected to provide detailed budgets and project timelines covering the full one-to-two-year performance period.