Princeton University
AC-7: Incentives for Developing Courses

Through its Grand Challenges Program (GC), Princeton provides seed research grants to faculty seeking to redirect their research to address historically intractable problems in energy and climate, urban sustainability and resilience, water issues, development and global health. Priority for funding new research projects as part of the GC Program is given to faculty proposals that demonstrate solid commitments to involving undergraduates in the research enterprise and to expanding the undergraduate curriculum to address complex issues of environment and sustainability. Students with interest in the Grand Challenges subject areas may choose from more than 250 related courses in 29 academic disciplines. These include 40 new courses – sponsored by Grand Challenges -- that leverage insights from cutting edge research evolving from Grand Challenge research projects. Several Grand Challenges courses involve field research in locations including Bermuda, Kenya, Norway, Panama, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. An example of a recent Grand Challenge course was GEO 360: "Geochemistry of the Human Environment," that debuted in Spring 2017. The course offers a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about the analytical and statistical tools used to study the chemistry of the environment (air, water and soil) and how this data is ultimately applied to questions of human health and well-being. In summer 2017, Princeton students worked with Isles to collect and analyze water, soil and paint samples from Trenton residents' homes. Students also were trained in how to use the data to search for links between the environment and human health. The plan is to use the course as a mechanism for continued monitoring of urban tap water in Trenton. Additionally, the High Meadows Foundation Sustainability Fund provides start-up funding for sustainability initiatives that contribute to cultivating a sustainability ethos on campus, in service to the world. All disciplinary approaches are encouraged, especially those that combine the sciences, humanities, and social sciences in creative ways. The fund welcomes proposals that focus on advancing sustainability within Academics, and in the last three years has contributed to funding for the development of courses such as, “Food, Agriculture, and the Environment” and “Art of Sustainability.”

The Grand Challenges program enables Princeton faculty to focus their research and teaching on critical problems in urban sustainability and resilience, water issues, climate and energy, development and global health. To date, the program has awarded more than $23.9 million in funding for 97 faculty-led projects that demonstrate new directions in research and strategic collaborations across disciplinary lines. A campus-wide Grand Challenges Call for Proposals are held annually. High Meadows Foundation Sustainability Fund awards may be used to support course development, redesign, or enhancement.

Additional Links: For more information about the Grand Challenges Program and its incentives: http://www.princeton.edu/grandchallenges/education/ For more information about the High Meadows Foundation Sustainability Fund: http://sustain.princeton.edu/lead/funding