The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation makes grants primarily to support original research and education related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. The Foundation believes that these fields—and the scholars and practitioners who work in them—are chief drivers of the nation’s health and prosperity. The Foundation also believes that a reasoned, systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all.
The Energy and Environment program at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation supports research, training, networking, and dissemination efforts to inform the societal transition toward low-carbon energy systems in the United States by investigating economic, environmental, technological, and distributional issues. The program is currently inviting Letters of Inquiry for interdisciplinary, collaborative social science research projects led by early- and mid-career scholars that analyze the systemic interactions and connections associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy in the United States. This Call for Letters of Inquiry is deliberately framed broadly to encourage the submission of research project ideas that examine the links and implications between different components of the energy system and how they relate to other aspects of the economy. It is expected that 4-6 grants will be awarded from the Call, and grant amounts are expected to be between $500,000 and $1,000,000 over a 2-4 year period.
Expected Team Structure and Eligibility:
Researchers who have not previously received funding from the Sloan Foundation’s Energy and Environment program are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Priority will be given to these submissions.
The lead principal investigator must be an Assistant or Associate Professor, or in equivalent positions, based at a university or college in the United States.
Submissions from highly diverse teams are strongly encouraged and priority will be given to these submissions. Researchers based at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are strongly encouraged to apply, either as lead primary investigators or in team member roles.
Submissions are encouraged across the full allowed budgetary range, and close attention will be paid to ensure that requested budget amounts are warranted.
Senior researchers and non-U.S.-based researchers may participate in proposed projects and can receive funding as research team members, advisors, or collaborators.
Researchers may participate in a maximum of two proposed projects.