Home

Mission Statement

The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah strives to provide transformative, integrative, and cutting-edge science, education, entrepreneurship, and practical solutions to tackle climate change in Utah, the United States, and the globe.

Researchers affiliated with the Wilkes Center are working on the defining issues of our age.

2023 Student Innovation Prize 

Learn more about the best ideas coming from U students in 2023 to reduce GHG emissions 

Funding Opportunities

Undergraduate Funding
The Wilkes Scholars Program enables students to explore pressing climate challenges through transformative research. Spring '24 applications accepted from Sep. 1 until October 31, 2023.
Applications Open Sep. 1, 2023
Faculty Seed Grants
Apply to receive funding support for impactful research surrounding climate change, as well as the policy impacts. Spring '24 funding applications accepted from Sep. 15 until Nov. 15, 2023.
Portal Opens: Sep. 15, 2023
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Designed to attract spectacular recent graduates doing research in the areas of climate science and policy. Application Portal Opens December 1, 2023, closes January 31, 2024.
Portal Opens: January 31, 2024
Graduate Research and Travel Funds
Designed to support all graduate students pursuing research in the areas of climate science and climate policy. Accepting applications for Spring '24 after August 31, 2023.
Applications Open August 31, 2023
Climate Solutions Hackathon
Registration for the 2nd Annual Wilkes Climate Solutions Hackathon opens Oct. 1 and closes Jan. 15, 2024. All U students are invited to put their passion, knowledge and teamwork toward achieving climate solutions. Thousands of dollars in cash prizes will be awarded.
Registration Opens Oct. 1, 2023
Wilkes Center Climate Prize
This $1.5 million prize at the University of Utah supports innovative projects anywhere in the world that help address the impact of climate change. Phase I applications for the 2024 Wilkes Climate Prize will be accepted from October 31 until December 31, 2023.
Phase I Opens Oct. 31, 2023
Student Innovation Prize
We invite all U students to submit their most innovative, creative, and bold ideas for tackling climate change. Submissions were due April 21, 2023.
Learn More

Our Focus Areas

Climate<br />Solutions
Climate
Solutions
In collaboration with stakeholders and multiple partners, Wilkes Center researchers analyze and innovate on climate solutions, aiming to inform policy in key areas of water resources, climate extremes, and nature-based climate solutions.
Climate<br />Impacts
Climate
Impacts
Wilkes Center scholars are illuminating climate impacts on local communities, economies, ecosystems, and human health in Utah and around the globe and are developing key tools to mitigate, adapt, and manage climate impacts.
Climate<br />Forecasting
Climate
Forecasting
The Wilkes Center aims to support and develop state-of-the-art science around near-term forecasts and longer-term projections of key climate changes with major societal impacts and to make this information available for decision-makers.

Sign up for our Newsletter

By joining our mailing list you'll stay up-to-date about new Wilkes Center projects, including the Wilkes Prize, upcoming events, climate solutions initiatives and research funding opportunities.

Newsletter sign up

Founders

Clay and Marie Wilkes have worked on humanitarian projects for decades,
leading education and economic initiatives in Salt Lake City, Peru, and Nepal.

The Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy was created in 2022 as a result of their
desire to urgently address threats created by climate change. Learn more about the donation