Climate Action and Education InitiativeJU Climate Innovation Challenge
Jacksonville University'sCommitment to Climate Action
Jacksonville University is positioned on the banks of the St. Johns River, where the university community feels the effects of climate change—storm surges, warm temperatures, polluted waters—every day and works to combat it. As scientists, educators, and policy experts, we understand that it is our duty to take action to protect the campus community, Jacksonville, and the greater state of Florida. Therefore, in 2023, the University launched an educational and innovative climate initiative, the Jacksonville University Climate Innovation Challenge.
In partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Law, Marine Science Research Institute, and the Public Policy Institute, the Climate Innovation Challenge hosts events that empower our community to develop approaches to our environmental challenges that raise awareness, change behavior, promote focused research, stimulate corporate actions, or launch innovative solutions.
In 2023, Jacksonville University awarded prizes to two proposals:
- Andy Bruck with Musicians’ Association of Jacksonville: "Climate Crisis Poetry Contest for Duval County Public Schools High School Students" - $10,000
- Danté Jennings, Ashantae Green, and Ivy Henderson with GreenLiningJax: "Tree Canopy Project and The Development of a Leadership Cohort Program Focused on Providing Training to Emerging BIPOC Leaders" - $7,500
The submission period for the 2025 Climate Innovation Challenge is open from October 1, 2024 to December 4, 2024. To apply, fill out the application and send it to climate@ju.edu.
Climate innovation challenge 2025 important dates
- Submission Period Opens – October 1, 2024
- Online Information Session – October 15, 2024
- Submission Period Closes – 5 PM E.T. on December 4, 2024
- Finalists selected and notified – December 15, 2024
- Finalists paired with project and presentation coach – January 7, 2025
- Finalists attend required coaching and presentation walk through – January 24, 2025
- “Shark Tank” Presentation – the afternoon of January 28, 2025 (time TBA) – Davis College of Business and Technology
- Awardees notified via email on or before March 1, 2025
- Project period begins – April 1, 2025
- Written Interim Progress Report due September 15, 2025
- All receipts must be received for reimbursement by March 31, 2026. Project period ends on March 31, 2026
- Written Final Project Reports due by email on or before May 1, 2026
Climate Innovation Competition
During this "Shark Tank" style grant competition, members of the Northeast Florida community presented their climate problem-solving or awareness proposals for the opportunity to win funding.
This grant competition is interdisciplinary and welcomed participants from the arts, humanities, sciences, medical and health services, engineering, business, military offices, law, public policy, and government.
Prize money might be used, for example, but not limited to, developing a play, documentary, a needed research project, a legislative or regulatory proposal, an invention, a new business, civil education program, or a community project.
2023 Finalists' Presentations
Members of GreenLining Jax receive their check for $7,500.
The members of GreenLiningJax, presenting their ideas for a Tree Canopy Project and Leadership Cohort Program.
Andy Bruck, with his big check won for "Climate Crisis Poetry Contest for Duval County Public Schools High School Students."
Judges listen to presentations of the 2023 Climate Innovation Challenge Finalists.
Contact Us
For more information on this event, please contact Wendy Parrish in the College of Arts & Sciences Dean's office.
Contact Information College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office
Phone: (904) 256-7881
Email: coas@ju.edu