Salata Institute Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster (SRSCC) FAQs 

What are we looking for in a Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster? 

The Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster program represents an investment in Harvard’s potential to help the world further address the pressing needs that arise from climate change, environmental and ecosystem degradation, and the energy transition. In this period of disruption in federal funding, the program seeks to support research opportunities that promise to make transformative contributions. Priority will be given to research in: energy technologies, markets, and systems; and remote sensing and climate/environmental measurement with applications to physical and human impacts, risk assessment, risk mitigation, and adaptation. 

The Salata Institute requests ambitious proposals that stimulate or deepen research grounded in STEM fields and that draw upon cross-School and interdisciplinary expertise. Proposals must be conceived in ways that build research capacity and better position Harvard to make even more powerful contributions at the end of the grant term.   

Will proposals on topics outside of those listed in the RFP be considered in this cycle? 

Yes, but proposals must be grounded in STEM fields and include interdisciplinary and cross-School collaboration.  

How important is interdisciplinary and cross-School collaboration? 

An accepted and launched Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster must have co-PIs representing at least two Schools. Preliminary concept proposals do not need to have co-PIs from multiple Schools but should explain what other School(s) and other disciplinary area(s) could be part of the Cluster. 

How does “portfolio fit” factor into selection? 

Reviewers will assess how well the proposed cluster complements or extends the existing Salata Institute research portfolio. Proposals that closely duplicate ongoing Salata Institute-funded research, or strategic research projects funded by Schools, are unlikely to be competitive.  Applicants are encouraged to review the existing Salata Institute research portfolio. Descriptions, faculty rosters, and recent outputs for each are available at https://salatainstitute.harvard.edu/research-initiatives/.   

What is the three-step review process? 

The first step is an opportunity to pitch a concept for a Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster. The Salata Institute’s Faculty Research Committee will engage with first-round proposers to explore collaboration across other proposed clusters, and, if necessary, to modify the scope of the proposal. The process may yield a revised proposal (step 2). From these revised proposals, a small number of cluster teams will be invited to prepare a detailed proposal (step 3). 

Will external reviewers be involved in evaluating proposals? 

Yes, external reviewers will be recruited to serve both on the selection committee and as referees for individual proposals. 

What is the timetable? 

PIs should submit a 500-word concept proposal by September 28, 2026, using the Salata Institute’s application portal. The Salata Institute will invite all PIs to make one-slide presentations of their concept notes and to network with their peers at an event, scheduled on October 2, 2026. PIs may subsequently opt to modify their proposals, merge their proposed projects with those of others, as broad collaborations will be encouraged. Updated and extended Step 2 proposals are then due on October 23, 2026.  Based on those proposals, a small number of groups will be invited to submit full proposals, which will be due on December 18, 2026. Awards will be announced in late February 2027. 

What is the format of the first-stage concept proposal? 

The first stage concept proposal should contain the following information: 

• Title 

• Submitting team (PI and any co-PIs) 

• Statement of the real-world climate problem the cluster addresses 

• Description of cluster research questions 

• Possible additional cross-School collaborative opportunities for the cluster 

• Likely uses of funds, in broad terms 

Who is eligible to submit a first-stage concept proposal? 

Clusters must be led by an eligible faculty member. Eligible faculty members are classified in the RFP as “individuals who hold a tenure or tenure-track (ladder) faculty position with principal investigator (PI) rights at a Harvard School, whose grants are managed by that School, and who are employed by Harvard University. Harvard Medical School (HMS) applicants must hold an HMS appointment with PI rights, and have grants managed in one of HMS’s basic or social science departments. 

How can Harvard faculty members or other researchers who are not ladder faculty participate in the program? 

Those who are not ladder faculty may serve as co-PIs with a ladder faculty member in a Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster. 

Could Clusters include collaborators from government and non-governmental organizations? 

Yes. 

Can funds be used for research conducted outside Harvard? 

External collaborations (e.g., with other universities or organizations) can be included where necessary to accomplish the research, but: 

• The core of the cluster’s activity and budget should be centered at Harvard 

• Researchers at other institutions may not receive salary support under this fund 

May I submit more than one concept proposal in the first step of the application process? 

Yes. 

What is the expected time commitment and will research space be provided? 

Each cluster will require significant time commitment from its members, as well as a high level of interaction among them. This interaction will involve co-locating regularly to facilitate the fruitful exchange of ideas and to hasten the synthesis of research findings. The Salata Institute will provide this meeting space at no cost, or the space can be provided by the cluster PIs. Limited space will be provided for postdocs or graduate students; specifics should be discussed with the Salata Institute. 

Will any concept proposal be disqualified after Step 1 (September 28, 2026)? 

No. By submitting a concept proposal, PIs gain access to the consultative process that is described in the RFP. 

Could research clusters leverage this funding to raise matching funds? 

Yes, the Salata Institute encourages the use of Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster funding to raise additional resources.  

Proposals must also describe concrete paths for financially sustaining and growing the research beyond the grant term, which might include philanthropic or foundation support, private sector funding, and/or collaborations with other universities or international organizations that contribute resources. 

Could cluster funding be used to seed collaborations with other universities? 

Yes, so long as the core criteria of the Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster program are met. 

Could research cluster funding be used to purchase instruments or data? 

Yes. Please include details in the application budget. 

What are the reporting requirements of each Strategic Research Support Climate Cluster? 

Clusters are to meet annually with the Salata Institute’s Research Committee to discuss the status of the project. Clusters are also expected to organize presentations of their research periodically. 

Where should I address any additional questions? 

Please address any other questions to Salata Institute Associate Director James Clem at  james_clem@harvard.edu.