Deadline February 6: Accepting Proposals for Duke Climate Collaboration Symposia for 2026-2027

The External Engagement Subcommittee of the Duke Climate Commitment Advisory Council is requesting proposals for the Duke Climate Collaboration Symposia series for the 2026-2027 academic year. Proposals are due by February 6, 2026.

The Duke Climate Collaboration Symposia are on-campus convenings designed to accelerate climate solutions by developing new collaborations among Duke scholars and external partners. Each symposium focuses on identifying opportunities for Duke University to make the most of its interdisciplinary expertise and convening power for meaningful impact on climate challenges.

Launched in 2024, the series is funded by a gift from The Duke Endowment in support of the Duke Climate Commitment, which unites the university’s education, research, operations, and public service missions to address the challenges brought on by the climate change.

Each symposium is designed by Duke faculty and will include events open to Duke faculty, staff, and students, and the public. The exact structure of the symposium is up to the discretion of the host team. These open events include talks and panel discussions that will highlight Duke and external experts’ insights on key questions, challenges, and opportunities related to a particular climate issue.

In addition to public-facing events, the symposia often include closed-door “Climate Idea Accelerator” workshops. Teams will discuss how to move ideas forward and reflect on resources needed to scale up to a significant initiative (signature project, center, etc.). Past organizers have chosen to host a two-day symposium with the open event on day one and closed event on day two.

All selected symposia groups will receive $15,000 in funding. These funds are issued by the Office of Climate and Sustainability and the symposia are administered by the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, which manages funding. Organizers will be expected to collaborate with communicators in their units and at the Nicholas Institute on plans for event promotion and storytelling (e.g., event recaps). Selected teams will be expected to meet with the Nicholas Institute and other stakeholders soon after funding notification to discuss event planning, promotion, and post-event storytelling. Selected teams are welcome and encouraged to seek additional funding and project support if needed.

Proposals—of three to four pages in length—must include:

1. A summary of the topic;
2. Individuals and/or organizations outside Duke that you’d invite to speak and participate in the workshop;
3. Duke collaborators and/or potential Duke collaborators, including specification of at least one unit communications team that has agreed to support your efforts; and
4. Anticipated symposium outcomes.

Selected symposia groups will submit an impact report for review by the External Engagement Committee and Symposia Series program manager within 6 months of their symposium date. We strongly suggest summarizing key outcomes and metrics that could be included in this report in the proposal.

Previous symposium topics have included: sustainable infrastructure, mobility and migration, risk science for climate resilience, sustainable health policy reform, harnessing geothermal energy, tackling food waste, and blue innovation.

Submit proposals in PDF form to Jennifer Edwards at jen.edwards@duke.edu by February 6, 2026. Please name your PDF with the primary organizers last name and the final submission date (Example: ‘Wilson 09.2025). Questions can be directed to Edwards, as well. Proposals will be reviewed by the External Engagement Subcommittee. The symposia are anticipated to be held during Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.