2027 EDF–Cornell Atkinson Impact Track
2027 EDF–Cornell Atkinson Impact Track supports Cornell–EDF teams applying mature science and tools in communities and policy settings to achieve measurable environmental outcomes and better decisions.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates: November 13, 2026, 5 p.m. ET (Optional LOI) | January 20, 2027, 5 p.m. ET (Full proposal) | June 30, 2027 (Latest project start)
Funding Amounts: Up to $200,000 per two-year project; 1–2 awards expected annually
Summary: Supports Cornell–EDF collaborations applying mature science and tools to achieve measurable environmental, stakeholder, or policy impact.
Key Information: Cornell co-PIs must be current Atkinson Faculty Fellows paired with qualifying full-time EDF staff.
Description
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability jointly support projects ready for implementation or direct application in stakeholder, community, or policy settings. Supported by the David and Patricia Atkinson Foundation, the Impact Track emphasizes scaling solutions, measurable environmental outcomes, better-informed decisions, and policy or regulatory change. This call supersedes previous RFPs in the partners’ collaborative granting opportunities.
Projects may involve stakeholder co-design, pilot testing, implementation planning, field deployment, policy translation, or scaling tools and practices. They should use well-developed tools, frameworks, or evidence bases and explain how learning and application will continue beyond funding. Work must connect EDF’s climate, resilience, and health goals with Cornell Atkinson’s food security, climate risk, energy transition, and One Health themes. Environmental justice should inform project design and goals where relevant.
