The University of Vermont seeks to launch a university-wide Institute to mobilize scholars and society’s leaders to understand and solve the world’s critical environmental problems.

The new Institute will result from an expansion of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, a productive transdisciplinary research unit in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. It will operate with a university-wide mandate, an expanded research focus, and more resources to ensure greater success and impact.

Building on UVM’s long-standing leadership on the environment, the Institute will increase transdisciplinary research on strategic themes, connect UVM research outcomes with local and global decision-makers, and help solve urgent environmental issues.

The Institute emerged as a UVM priority in 2012 – and the recommendations of faculty-led working groups over the past four years have coalesced with fundraising efforts. In June 2016, donors signaled their willingness to make a leadership gift to the Institute in the very near future.

For more information, please visit the Institute website with a complete history of the Institute’s development; an Executive Summary with information on the Institute’s mission, strategy, structure, governance, budget and evaluation; as well as other informational resources.