The University of Michigan has announced the first recipients of its Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF) grants, which include members of the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). Thirty-seven projects will receive $40 million in initial funding to improve human health, strengthen communities and build a more sustainable world.

To be considered for funding, each proposal had to align with one or more of the five impact areas identified in the Look to Michigan vision and encourage collaboration from scholars and staff across academic departments, university campuses and multiple colleges, schools and units.  

Congrats to SEAS faculty and staff on being awarded SIF grants for the following projects: 

• M|Lands: Training Sustainability's Workforce through U-M Land-Labs (Sucila Fernandes and Sheila Schueller, in partnership with Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum; Office of Campus Sustainability; College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; and Custodial and Grounds Service): Sustainability's labor force needs practical, hands-on experience that unifies systems, technology, and market innovations with ecological knowledge and stewardship. M|Lands will place U-M at the forefront of sustainability workforce development by mobilizing its more than 40,000 acres of land—of which fewer than 5,000 are actively stewarded—to develop a leading, place-based land stewardship training paradigm.
• Great Lakes Maritime Initiative (Parth Vaishnav and Greg Keoleian, in partnership with the College of Engineering; Ford School of Public Policy; Ross School of Business; Center for Innovation in Detroit; and Center for Academic Innovation): This initiative will position the Great Lakes as a national hub for shipbuilding revitalization, maritime innovation and workforce development.
• Shared Ground: Implementing and Sustaining Public Greenspace as Civic Infrastructure (Lisa DuRussel, Shannon Brines, Mark Lindquist and Tony Reames): As climate risks intensify, public greenspace is no longer seen as optional, but instead as civic infrastructure. Shared Ground transforms Detroit's vacant land into community-defined public greenspace that strengthens neighborhood connection, climate resilience, and civic life.
• Energysheds: Planning for Michigan's Energy Future (Yekang Ko and Liesl Clark, in partnership with the College of Engineering): This initiative will help Southeast Michigan communities understand and discuss how rising electricity demand from data centers and AI-enabled services is reshaping energy systems and land use. 
• Center for Community Environmental Dialogue (Geoffrey Henderson, Nathan Geiger, Carole Love and Liesl Clark): By first listening to communities across Michigan, the Center for Community Environmental Dialogue will identify what inspires people from diverse political and socioeconomic backgrounds to support climate, environmental and energy solutions that reflect their values and benefit their families and communities.

Read the full story on the University Record website.

Strategic Initiative Fund Projects

Read more on the Industrial and Operations Engineering website.