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Funding Programs

Funding Programs Overview

The Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation offers a variety of funding initiatives designed to support faculty pursuing research, teaching and creative work related to sustainability. These programs empower faculty and students to proactively lead groundbreaking research, expand sustainability education, and engage communities in meaningful and transformative ways. 

Since 2004, MCSI’s funding programs have supported more than 100 faculty members, as well as hundreds of postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers. From seed grants for emerging ideas to fellowships that advance interdisciplinary teaching and research, MCSI is committed to fostering innovative and collaborative approaches to sustainability. 

The 2026-27 application cycle opens February 1, 2026 with rolling reviews until funds are fully allocated. 

All supported work should align with our core research themes:  

  • regenerative solutions  
  • resilient ecological solutions 
  • thriving futures 
  • environmental discourse 

Before submitting an application, please review the programs below for details and program requirements.

APPLY FOR MCSI FUNDING

 

MCSI Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF) Program in Sustainability

MCSI is committed to cultivating the next generation of scholars advancing sustainability at the University of Pittsburgh. Our goal is to support researchers whose work accelerates solutions to the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, addresses needed critical analysis related to environmental discourse, and fosters a vibrant, interdisciplinary community across Pitt’s campus.  We welcome all disciplines.  

The MCSI Postdoctoral Fellowship program is designed to catalyze innovative research, strengthen multidisciplinary collaborations, and enrich the postdoctoral experience through intentional mentoring, cohort-based programming, and professional development.   

Postdoctoral fellows benefit from being embedded within the MCSI community, engaged in research seminars, peer mentorship, workshops, and collaborative activities that connect engineering, public health, business, computing, social sciences, and many others.  The University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association offers a vibrant community for postdoctoral associates.  

Fellows are empowered to produce high-impact research that serves society and aligns with MCSI’s research themes: regenerative solutions, resilient ecological solutions, thriving futures, and environmental discourse.   

ELIGIBILITY  

Proposals may be submitted by:  

  • A Pitt faculty member (or members) who intends to recruit a postdoctoral scholar to carry out the proposed research activities; or  
  • A postdoctoral scholar who has explicit written approval from a Pitt faculty member who will serve as their primary advisor.

All proposed research must:  

  • clearly align with MCSI’s research themes, and 
  • synergize with the work of a Pitt faculty mentor.

Questions about eligibility are welcome. Please contact MCSI for clarification, as our aim is to support post-docs and faculty.  

FUNDING

  • Year 1:  
    • MCSI provides $30,000 (approximately 50% of Pitt’s base annual postdoctoral salary with benefits) and up to $2,000 (upon request) for travel to a professional conference to present research.  
  • Optional Year 2: 
    • Based on funding availability and strong evidence of progress and community engagement, fellows may apply for a second year of support at $19,000 (approximately 25% of Pitt’s annual postdoctoral salary with benefits).  Our goal will be to support for two years.  

DEADLINE

  • First round of reviews will take place in March 2026.  
  • Rolling review thereafter until funds are distributed for the year. 

GRANT PERIOD

  • Initial award is one year, with the possibility of a second year.  
  • Appointment must begin within three months of the award date, unless an alternative timeline is approved.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Proposal - five-page maximum (excluding references). Please include the following sections in order:  
    • Title, applicant contact information, and faculty mentor information  
    • 100 Word Abstract  
    • Research description and/or central research question(s) and alignment with MCSI’s research goals  
    • Importance and potential impact of the work—scientific, societal, translational  
    • Approach, methods, or framework that will guide the research  
    • Goals, outcomes, and mechanisms for translation, including anticipated scholarly products, partnerships, policy/management relevance, commercialization potential, and new proposals  
    • Project timeline, including start and end dates, milestones, and deliverables  
    • Brief description of the source for 50% cost-share  
    • References cited (not included in the five-page)
  •  CVs 
    • Applicant  
    • Faculty mentor (if applicable)
  • Faculty Letter of Support 
    • Required for applications initiated by postdoctoral candidates. 

John C. Mascaro Faculty Awards in Sustainability

The John C. Mascaro Faculty program is designed to enhance the university’s mission of interdisciplinary excellence in sustainability research and education. Faculty members from ALL disciplines across ALL campuses of the University of Pittsburgh are encouraged to apply. The goal of these awards is to elevate sustainability across Pitt’s academic landscape and catalyze new cross-disciplinary collaborations.  

ELIGIBILITY

All University of Pittsburgh faculty (appointment and tenure stream) are eligible to apply. Faculty are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the MCSI leadership team prior to submission.   

FUNDING

Funding is in the range of $5,000-$15,000 and will be considered based on the scope and broadest impact of the proposal. Projects with the broadest impact across disciplines and/or with external partners will be considered for the high funding levels. Allowable costs include: 

  • Faculty salary undergraduate and graduate student support
  • post-doctoral support 
  • course release 
  • equipment 
  • supplies  
  • travel 

DEADLINE

  • First round reviews: March 2026.
  • Rolling review until all funding is allocated. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Proposal (three-page maximum). Please include the following sections in order:  
    • Title, applicant contact information, and faculty mentor information  
    • 100 Word Abstract  
    • Based on the project scope, please consider addressing the following questions:  
      • How will your proposed activities catalyze growth in the university’s sustainability research portfolio?  
      • How will your proposed activities enhance the student experience in university-wide sustainability programs?  
      • How will your proposal accelerate MCSI’s mission of Research, Education and Engagement? 
      • How will your research enhance sustainability in your discipline and/or across disciplines? 
      • How will the proposed actions and directions jumpstart a new concept or tie into your work to date?  
      • How does incorporating Sustainability into your work fit into your long-term professional goals? 
  • CV (two-page maximum)
  • Letter(s) of Support
    • A one-page letter of endorsement from your department chair/supervisor is required.   
    • If appropriate, a letter of support from a community partner organization should also be included. 

General Support/Rapid Funding

MCSI provides small ($500-$5,000), flexible funding to enable faculty to take advantage of urgent or unique opportunities that advance sustainability research, teaching or community engagement. Matching support is strongly encouraged. 

ELIGIBILITY

All Pitt faculty (appointment and tenure stream) are eligible to apply.  

FUNDING

  • undergraduate and graduate student support 
  • equipment or supplies 
  • travel  

DEADLINE

  • Proposals are considered on a rolling basis. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Proposal - Please include the following sections in order:  

  • Title, applicant contact information, and faculty mentor information  
  • Description of the opportunity and how it aligns with MCSI’s mission 
  • Requested budget and justification 
  • Matching funds / letters of support   

Summer Research Advising

Each summer, MCSI seeks faculty mentors to advise highly motivated undergraduate and master’s students conducting sustainability research. Students come from a range of disciplines and participate in competitive research cohorts with community building service activities and presentation opportunities.  

The Faculty Advisor Interest Form opens November 2026 for projects in Summer 2027.