Harvard Solar Geoengineering Research Program (SGRP)

SGRP — Grant

Offers Harvard researchers and graduate trainees support for solar geoengineering studies, policy analysis, and scientific evidence generation for public debate.

The Harvard Solar Geoengineering Research Program (SGRP), administered through the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, funds Harvard faculty and graduate students conducting research in solar geoengineering science, technology, and policy. The program's stated mission is to reduce uncertainties surrounding solar geoengineering, generate critical scientific and policy insights, and help inform the public debate on this emerging field. Applications are accepted on a rolling, continuous basis with no fixed annual deadline, making SGRP one of the few Harvard research programs with a permanently open submission window. Prior solar geoengineering experience is explicitly not required for the exploratory tier, making the program accessible to researchers entering the field from adjacent climate, atmospheric science, or policy disciplines.

Two award tiers are available. Exploratory grants provide up to $50,000 for one year and are designed for novel ideas related to solar geoengineering where the PI does not need prior background in the field. Mature Project grants provide up to $150,000 per year for up to three years and support more developed research projects with a defined methodology and expected outcomes. Workshop proposals are also eligible under both tiers. Harvard faculty may apply independently; Harvard graduate students must have their faculty advisor co-sign the proposal. Multi-year proposals exceeding $50,000 require an expanded eight-page proposal rather than the standard three-page format.

Proposals are reviewed by the SGRP Faculty Steering Committee, with external reviewers consulted as needed. Evaluation criteria include scientific significance, innovation, potential impact, and the applicant's demonstrated capacity to execute the proposed work. Applications require a three-page project description covering objectives, background, methodology, expected outcomes, and timeline; CVs for all PIs; a budget breakdown; and a one-page current and pending support summary. All funds must remain within Harvard University except for products and services explicitly budgeted. Inquiries should be directed to SGRP Program Director John Prandato at jprandato@fas.harvard.edu.