Partners & Resources

Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

Research at the Beckman Institute is focused around four themes: Biological Intelligence, Human-Computer Intelligent Interaction, Integrative Imaging, and Molecular and Electronic Nanostructures.

Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC)

Charged by the Executive Director of Facilities & Services (F&S), the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) is an advisory body to Transportation Demand Management (TDM) at F&S and the campus community on matters relating to campus transportation.

This committee reviews aspects of surface transportation on campus, including pedestrian safety, bicycle facilities, transit, automobile traffic, and the interaction of all modes of travel on campus. The purpose of the committee is to advise F&S on transportation issues affecting students, faculty and staff.

Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology provides a central infrastructure to unite research and educational training and attract major research funding and high-caliber scientists and students. Research at the IGB falls under one of three broad programmatic areas: Systems Biology, Cellular and Metabolic Engineering, and Genome Technology.

Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI)

The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), a U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center, is a collaboration between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB).

One of the major challenges the world faces is how to provide sustainable sources of energy that meet societal needs as the population continues to grow. The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) will develop efficient ways to grow bioenergy crops, transform biomass into valuable chemicals, and market the resulting biofuels and other bioproducts.

CABBI will integrate recent advances in agronomics, genomics, and synthetic and computational biology to increase the value of energy crops — using a "plants as factories" approach to grow fuels and chemicals in plant stems, an automated foundry to convert biomass into valuable chemicals, and ensuring that its products are ecologically and economically sustainable. This holistic approach will help reduce our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, thus increasing national security.

Center for the Economics of Sustainability (CEOS)

The Center for the Economics of Sustainability (CEOS) is a world-class set of economists that collaborate with agronomists, scientists, engineers, legal scholars, and other researchers. They study tradeoffs, human behavior, and the allocation of scarce resources. The results? Sustainable food systems, reliable energy and water systems, healthy environments, and thriving communities.

Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL)

Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL)is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address climate change.

Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. By building upon shared values rather than partisan divides, and empowering our supporters to work in keeping with the concerns of their local communities, we work towards the adoption of fair, effective, and sustainable climate change solutions.

In order to generate the political will necessary for passage of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act we train and support volunteers to build relationships with elected officials, the media and their local community.

Coordinated Science Laboratory (CSL)

The Coordinated Science Laboratory is a premier, multidisciplinary research laboratory that focuses on information technology at the crossroads of computing, control, and communications.

Energy Farm

In the search for alternative energy resources, sustainable food production and environmental stewardship, researchers at the University of Illinois have access to a gigantic "living laboratory" — the 320-acre Energy Farm on the Urbana-Champaign campus' South Farms.

Under the leadership and management of the Department of Crop Sciences and College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Envionmental Sciences (ACES), the Energy Farm offers the space, resources, and expertise necessary for field research and production needs for University researchers, corporate partners, and collaborators. In total, the U of I has 3000+ acres of agricultural research space conveniently located adjacent to campus, allowing researchers convenient access to campus offices and laboratories.

Facilities & Services Sustainability

Facilities & Services Sustainability provides physical infrastructure, operational, and essential services for sustaining an environment that fosters the research, teaching, and public engagement activities of the university. The F&S goal is to support the university's education, research, and outreach missions by improving the physical condition of the facilities and ground, reducing energy consumption through education and use of alternative fuel sources, and increasing customer satisfaction by providing quality services in a responsive, reliable, and customer-focused manner. F&S Sustainability provides leadership, coordination, promotion, reporting, and a point of contact for several sustainability initiatives managed by F&S departments and is a resource to help connect students interested in promoting sustainability to the campus experts.

Food Recovery Network – UIUC Chapter

The UIUC chapter of the Food Recovery Network was founded in July 2021 by students from two UIUC Registered Student Organizations: Project 4 Less and the Metropolitan Food and Environmental Systems Student Association (MFSTSA). These separate organizations partnered to form a holistic FRN chapter that focuses on weekly food recovery, community outreach, and student education about our food systems.

Project 4 Less coordinates weekly food recovery events at the UIUC dining halls, including food packaging, storing, and transportation. Volunteers assist with food recovery and many UIUC students find leadership roles as members of the organization. Project 4 Less donates recovered food to the Wesley Food Pantry, UniPlace, and Salvation Army.

MFSTSA hosts regular seminar events featuring experts within the food system. These expert guest speakers discuss their personal and educational background, career path, experiences, and goals for the future of the food system. Seminars open students' minds to the vast career possibilities within the food system, and are an excellent networking opportunity.

Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory (MRL)

The Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory fosters interdisciplinary research at the forefront of materials science by bringing together world-class faculty, staff, postdocs, students, and industry in materials science, condensed matter physics, and materials chemistry in a highly-collaborative, progressive research environment.

Health Care Engineering Systems Center (HCESC)

The Health Care Engineering Systems Center (HCESC) provides clinical immersion to engineers and fosters collaborations between engineers and physicians. The aim is to develop new technologies and cyber-physical systems, enhance medical training and practice, and in collaboration with key partners, drive the training of medical practitioners of the future.

Humanities Research Institute (HRI)

As the lifeblood of humanities research on the Urbana campus, HRI provides funding—through fellowships, internships, and programmatic support—and a forum for tackling big questions and imagining bold, human-centered approaches to working for change.

Whether by convening interdisciplinary academic audiences or doing work that impacts local communities, HRI is committed to developing programs where people can see the humanities in action. Our work encourages ongoing dialogue with Illinois’ historic land grant mission by helping to orient humanities research, resources and influence toward new possibilities for the public university.

Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP)

The Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) is the primary campus sustainability manual approved and supported by the administrative leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. iCAP is renewed every 5 years to revisit relevant and necessary objectives required to achieve the overall goal for the University to reach net carbon neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

The 2020 iCAP has 56 objectives across eight main themes: Energy, Transportation, Land & Water, Zero Waste, Education, Engagement, Resilience, and Implementation.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign compiles its sustainability initiatives on the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) Portal. The portal also keeps a record of projects funded by the Student Sustainability Committee. Visit the iCAP Portal to see details of previously funded SSC projects.

Illinois Extension

Illinois Extension is committed to linking local communities to the University to develop programs, tools, and knowledge that will support needed change. Their mission is to align research to needs and translate research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.

Their work focuses on five ‘grand challenges.' Illinois Extension leaders work with a network of local stakeholders to define annual priorities that allow them to respond to evolving and emerging needs while still ensuring meaningful progress toward key outcomes in each of the five grand challenge areas. This blend of long-range focus and local accountability is a powerful strategy that ensures they stay true to their mission while serving communities across the state. Their five areas of focus are: (1) Energy and environmental stewardship, (2) Food safety and security, (3) Economic development and workforce preparedness, (4) Family health, financial security, and wellness, and (5) Youth development.

Illinois Geothermal Coalition (IGC)

The Illinois Geothermal Coalition is a group of corporations, non-profits, geothermal professionals, and researchers seeking to establish Illinois as a leader in geothermal energy. The coalition works to strengthen and advance the implementation and design of geothermal energy systems in the Midwest.

Illinois Sustainability Calendar

This is your one-stop shop for sustainability-, energy-, and environment-related events on campus. The Illinois Sustainability Calendar gets updated frequently, so bookmark it and check back often! We also encourage you to submit suggested events to this calendar.

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC)

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center's mission is to encourage and assist citizens, businesses, and government agencies to prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, and reduce waste to protect human health and the environment of Illinois and beyond. ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse.

Illinois Water Resources Center

The Illinois Water Resources Center works with scientists, water professionals, and communities to address water resource challenges at both the national and state scales. Every year, they award roughly $40,000 to university-based researchers throughout the state and help scientists working on regional issues secure funding through the National Competitive Grants Program.

Indoor Climate Research and Training (ICRT)

Indoor Climate Research and Training (ICRT) is focused on using sound principles of building science to advance the performance of homes by developing and disseminating knowledge and best practice through education, training, and research. ICRT conducts basic research at the intersection of energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ). ICRT maintains a state-of-the-art training center and administers the training program for the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP), which provides weatherization services to low-income Illinois residents and households. Research projects include studies on radon, ventilation, combustion safety, and the health consequences related to IAQ. ICRT partners with other academic institutions, research and advocacy groups, and government agencies to execute research and translate those results and feedback from the field into actionable practices and policies.

ICRT staff are involved in setting national policy and standards for residential building energy efficiency and indoor air quality, through membership on committees and advisory boards.

Institute for Geospatial Understanding through an Integrative Discovery Environment (I-GUIDE)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Institute for Geospatial Understanding through an Integrative Discovery Environment (I-GUIDE) aims to transform geospatial data-intensive sciences through integration of cyberGIS, reproducible data-intensive analytics and modeling, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles, and innovative education and workforce development programs. This transformation catalyzes new convergence science necessary to drive advances across many fields ranging from computer, data and information sciences to atmospheric sciences, ecology, economics, environmental science and engineering, human-environment and geographical sciences, hydrology and water sciences, industrial engineering, sociology, and statistics. Through synergistic advances of these fields I-GUIDE is empowering diverse communities to produce data-intensive solutions to society’s resilience and sustainability challenges.

Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) is the University of Illinois’ central campus sustainability entity. iSEE is responsible for upholding and following through with sustainability initiatives as stipulated in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP). iSEE operates on a three-pronged mission plan: research, sustainability initiatives, and education and outreach.

Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL)

The IBRL is a bioprocessing product research and development facility that bridges the gap from basic discovery to commercialization of bioproducts. The facility serves as an invaluable asset to bioenergy and bioprocessing companies by partnering them with the human and equipment capabilities of the university. Faculty and researchers affiliated with the IBRL have the expertise needed to improve efficiencies, reduce water usage, and increase biofuel production in the corn ethanol industry. IBRL provides a lab and pilot plant for innovative research to market application and commercial products for industry partners. Researchers are also developing and improving technologies for next-generation biofuels and value-added products derived from biomass.

Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI)

The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute provides human infrastructure that accelerates health research and strengthens collaboration among clinical, community, and campus partners.

Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (MCORE)

Thanks in part to a $15.7 million Federal TIGER grant, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, City of Champaign, City of Urbana and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are partnering to improve mobility in our communities' core. MCORE aims to have a transformative impact unlike any previous transportation project in the communities' history.

National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)

NCSA provides computing, data, networking, and visualization resources and services that help scientists and engineers across the country better understand our world. The NCSA focuses on four broad areas: Data and Information Science and Technology, Scale Science and Technologies, Collaborative eScience, and Industry.

Nick Holoynak Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory

A multidisciplinary research facility, the Nick Holoynak Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory houses advanced equipment to support research in photonics, microelectronics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. Activities facilitated by the MNTL fall into four primary areas: Optoelectronics and Photonic Systems, Microelectronics for Wireless Communications, Microelectromechanical Systems, and Nanobiosystems.

Office of Technology Management

The University of Illinois is a leader in generating innovations that translate into products, services, companies, and jobs that positively impact human lives and economic well-being. The Office of Technology Management moves the innovations that result from University research into public use by protecting and licensing University intellectual property.

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (OVCRI)

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation leads the university's research strategy; manages regulatory, administrative, compliance, and research support activities; and develops policies that guide the conduct of research. The OVCRI also oversees the campus wide interdisciplinary research institutes.

Prairie Research Institute

The Prairie Research Institute benefits the people, economy, and environment of Illinois, delivering impact to every corner of the state. Their teams focus scientific knowledge and data in geology, ecology and biodiversity, archaeology, water, weather and climate, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, and sustainable energy.

Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE)

Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) is an international research project that is engineering crops to be more productive by improving photosynthesis, the natural process all plants use to convert sunlight into energy and yields. By equipping farmers with higher-yielding crops, we can ensure that everyone has enough food to lead a healthy, productive life.

In the last century, plant scientists bred a new generation of plants to feed millions of hungry people across the world. For decades, this Green Revolution enabled food production to rise in scale with population growth. But those advances have reached their biological limits and new innovations from the RIPE project and other efforts will be crucial to keep pace with this century’s growing population: 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion by 2050, and 11.2 billion by 2100.

Today, we have the knowledge and tools to usher in the next Green Revolution, enabling farmers to produce more in this century than in the history of humankind. While no single strategy will achieve the 50 to 70 percent increase in production needed to meet the demands of 2050, improving photosynthesis remains a source of untapped potential. Today, our team is hacking the complex 170-step photosynthetic process to realize global food sustainability in this century.

Remade Institute

REMADE brings together industry innovators, academic researchers, and national labs to enhance the nation’s industrial competitiveness and lead the transition to a Circular Economy in the U.S.

Today, manufacturing accounts for 25% of U.S. energy consumption at a cost of $150 billion. Industry is also the third largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions after transportation and electricity at 23%. Factor in the electricity consumed by the industrial sector, and industry becomes the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the nation at 30%. Our experts, together with our partners, are working to reduce those amounts. In fact, reducing embodied energy and decreasing emissions is in our name: REMADE.

Roy G. Carver Biotechnology Center

Through the core laboratories in genomics and proteomics, the Biotechnology Center provides state-of-the-art research facilities: the Transgenic Mouse Facility, Proteomics Center, and the W. M. Keck Center for Comparative and Functional Genomics.

Siebel Center for Design

Siebel Center for Design (SCD) is unique among design centers in the United States. Our mission is to practice, model, and teach design thinking, using human-centered design to re-imagine our campus, community, and the collective world.

Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC)

SEDAC, the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, is an applied research program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Their mission is to decrease the energy footprint of the State of Illinois.