MCSI is pleased to share our first-ever thematic cohort model for the 2026 Summer Sustainability Research Program!
Read more about each cohort below.
Apply for our Summer 2026 Sustainability Research Cohorts
Open Call for Sustainability Research
Projects that advance understanding and innovation in sustainability across all disciplines. This cohort may include work from engineering, science, humanities, and social sciences, with specific interest in projects that address pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory
The Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory (PWC) is supporting summer scholars who research water issues across all disciplines, with a focus on projects that relate directly or indirectly to issues of interest in Southwest PA or the Ohio River Basin.
Responsible Data Science
RDS@Pitt is supporting summer scholars whose projects address the use of data and AI transparently, ethically, and equitably to address environmental and social challenges. These projects will align analytics with values like accountability and inclusivity, such that the project ensures innovation supports tools not just for efficiency, but for building a more sustainable and human-forward future.
Sustainable Healthcare
The Office of Sustainability in the Health Sciences supports summer scholars whose projects reduce health care's environmental impact and/or improve health-system resilience. Examples include reducing excess are, lowering hospital operations' carbon footprint, cutting care-related waste, and educating providers on sustainability practices.