A grant from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation is helping to create professional opportunities for Indiana University students interested in climate and sustainability and bolstering efforts in central Indiana to counter climate change impacts, such as extreme precipitation and heat.
The funds, awarded in September 2022 for the 2023 calendar year, will be used to support staff time, programming, and scholarships associated with the McKinney Climate Fellows program, a workforce development program for undergraduate and graduate students that partners with Indiana-based private, public, and nonprofit organizations. The scholarships will go toward students paired with organizations in central Indiana.
“Addressing climate change requires significant progress on sustainability and clean energy in the state of Indiana,” said Rachel M. Simon, President of the Herbert Simon Family Foundation. “The McKinney Climate Fellows are helping to accelerate this work statewide by enabling companies, organizations, and municipalities to take swift action.”
Part of the McKinney Midwest Climate Project, the McKinney Climate Fellows program is administered by IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI). Since 2017, more than 130 McKinney Climate Fellows have contributed to sustainability and resilience efforts throughout the state, including climate action planning and projects to reduce Hoosier communities’ contributions to global warming.
“Over the years, our students have proven that they can be catalysts for change in Indiana, leading our communities toward solutions that support long-term sustainability and economic growth,” said ERI Managing Director Sarah Mincey. “Support from organizations like the Herbert Simon Family Foundation will help us expand student opportunities as we work toward realizing a resilience revolution throughout the state. We are deeply grateful to the foundation for their generosity.”
Indiana organizations that are interested in hosting a McKinney Climate Fellow in the summer of 2023 are encouraged to apply to be a partner before Nov. 4, 2022.
About the Environmental Resilience Institute
Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute brings together a broad coalition of government, business, nonprofit, and community leaders to help Indiana and the Midwest better prepare for the challenges of environmental change. By integrating research, education, and community, ERI is working to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.
