The SOM Foundation has officially opened applications for the 2024 Research Prize. This year’s theme is focused on “Advancing Toward a Water-Secure Future.” Faculty-led interdisciplinary teams based in the United States are invited to submit research proposals that address this critical global issue. Two prizes of $30,000 each will be awarded to support original research that contributes to this year’s theme. The deadline for submissions is November 11, 2024.
Advancing Toward a Water-Secure Future
Water security has become a pressing issue worldwide. At the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, alarming statistics were shared: two billion people still lack access to safe drinking water, 40 percent of the global population is impacted by water scarcity, and 70 percent of water usage is attributed to agricultural demands. Furthermore, more than 90 percent of natural disasters are water-related, and the demand for freshwater is expected to rise by over 40 percent by 2050.
Given these realities, there is an urgent need for innovative and collaborative approaches to address both existing and future water challenges. This year, the SOM Foundation is particularly interested in proposals that explore the complex interactions between water, people, and the built environment. The aim is to foster the development of sustainable, equitable, and long-term solutions for water security, through comprehensive plans and immediate actions that can shape policies for the future.
Jury Panel
The 2024 Research Prize jury will be led by Iker Gil, the Executive Director of the SOM Foundation. The panel includes:
- Carson Chan, Director of the Emilio Ambasz Institute for the Joint Study of the Built and Natural Environment, and Curator at the MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design in New York City.
- Carol Coletta, President and CEO of the Memphis River Parks Partnership.
- Alex Krieger, Professor Emeritus in Urban Design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, and a former SOM Foundation fellow.
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