DOE Announces $10 Million to Support Climate Resilience Centers Across America
August 2024
University-Led Projects Will Share Data, Strengthen, and Build Relationships Between DOE and Communities Bearing the Brunt of Climate Change
To support vulnerable communities responding to continued and extreme climate effects, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $10 million in funding for innovative Climate Resilience Centers (CRCs) in 10 different states. University-led research teams will leverage the world class modeling, data, and research capabilities from DOE national laboratories customized for their local regions with a focus on climate prediction of weather hazard risks to better prepare communities. The CRCs are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative and are designed to ensure that all Americans are benefitting from scientific research.
“Every pocket of the country has experienced the impact of extreme weather events that are exacerbated by climate change, and disadvantaged communities often feel the brunt of that impact,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The projects announced today will leverage the world class expertise and scientific research capacities of DOE’s national laboratories to develop the tools communities will need to inform future decisions for building resiliency.”
Each of the CRCs are led by minority-serving institutions and emerging research institutions. Most are also collaborations with DOE national labs, other federal agencies, academic institutions, state and municipal agencies, or community organizations.
Projects were selected by a peer-review panel, and selections focused on a diversity of topics, regions, and institutions across the country. These projects also build on prior awards to CRCs made in 2023.
The CRCs will help form a nucleus for a diverse group of young scientists, engineers, and technicians to further their scientific research and work on scientific teams. The CRCs will also foster capacity at the regional and local level by connecting with affected communities and stakeholders to enable them to translate basic research into actionable science to enhance climate resilience, as well as to identify potential future research opportunities.
Across the 10 selectees, research projects include:
- Ways to predict and protect communities from coastal flooding and extreme storms;
- Analyzing the impacts of drought on Tribal and agricultural communities; and
- Improving water quality.
Total funding for all of the projects is $10 million for Fiscal Year 2024 for projects lasting 3 years in duration. More information can be found on the Biological and Environmental Research program homepage.