George Masons Grand Challenge Initiative will drive solutions for a peaceful, healthy and prosperous future
Our world is at a crossroads. The future taking shape is not one we would choose for ourselves, nor future generations. Meeting this moment requires unprecedented action to secure a future we want, not one we are forced to endure. This is the singular grand challenge confronting all of humanity.
To ensure future generations can pursue lives worth living, George Mason is committed to developing transformative solutions, advancing strategic investments, and preparing the next generation of leaders to drive sustainable systems forward.
It is time either to brace ourselves for an era of global decline and a future that none of us would choose for ourselves, or seize back control of our destiny and work together to reverse course. It will take all of us working together to alter the course of our future.
, President, 91做厙
Year 2 Call for Proposals Now Open
91做厙 invites proposals for small and large catalyst projects advancing one or more of the university's six bold solutions under the Grand Challenge Initiative. As a key next step in translating bold ideas into action, proposals are encouraged to leverage George Mason's talent, programs, and infrastructure to create scalable, sustained impact. Interested researchers should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the lead school/college's dean's office by December 4, 2026. Proposals are due February 15, 2027, and awards will be announced by April 30, 2027, with funding beginning no later than July 1, 2027.
Sunrise over planet Earth. Illustration by Getty Images.
Year 1 Catalyst Research Projects Announced
In its first year, 91做厙's Grand Challenge Initiative funded seven catalyst research projects supporting groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research spanning quantum computing, space innovation, AI literacy, forensic science and peacebuilding, climate resilience, and human rights.
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"We have placed our first bets on building a better future for humanity. These awards represent the very best of George Mason faculty research where the world's greatest problems meet our faculty's greatest research strengths to solve them."
Gregory Washington, President, 91做厙
91做厙 Space Center
Bold Solutions for a Changing World
91做厙's Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) is a comprehensive research framework, backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment, to align university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solution areas addressing humanitys ultimate grand challenge.
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Faculty, staff, students, and partners working together on interdependent strategies to shape a more sustainable, secure, and resilient world
A faculty-driven task force identified six interlocking solution areas that now shape the framework for George Masons Grand Challenge Initiative. These solutions are rooted in the universitys core strengths and reflect its deeply collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to research, education, and community partnership.
One Grand Challenge, Six Bold Solutions
"George Mason is in the business of discovery. This means unleashing our bold ideas from their theoretical and laboratory boundaries, thoughtfully cultivating them as they take shape, and fearlessly deploying them as innovations that will transform our lives."
, program director, Strategic Partnerships Hub, National Science Foundation (NSF); former Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact and President of the George Mason Research Foundation
Six Interdisciplinary Pathways to a Sustainable, Secure, and Prosperous Future
Transforming education to break barriers and to create inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for the workforce of the future, empowering communities worldwide.
Building a climate-resilient society
Activating research, scholarship, and creative activities for actionable solutions to foster resilient communities and ensure a sustainable future.
Harnessing AI, other emerging technologies, and sustainable cyberinfrastructure to solve critical human challenges, promote ethical innovation, and power a smarter future.
Empowering individuals and fostering thriving communities through lifelong health solutions and resilience for military and civilian populations alike.
Pioneering space innovations for Earth observation, planetary exploration, and space weather prediction to advance technology and protect global society.
Strengthening trust and engagement in democratic institutions and fostering global stability by bridging economic divides and advancing strategic alliances and diplomacy.
Shared Vision, Cohesive Approach
Funded through an initial five-year investment of $15 million through FY30, the Grand Challenge Initiative will align university resources and a cohesive working culture around this shared vision to:
Enhance educational opportunities and integrate these solutions into the universitys degree programs.
Increase faculty talent and issue-expertise, including postdoc and graduate students.
Align current projects and seed new major research proposals through new pilots and grant programs.
Build infrastructure and resources such as labs, equipment, supplies, and training programs.
In partnership with the universitys billion-dollar campaign, MasonNOW, the Grand Challenge Initiative will work to secure partnerships, funding, and other support from government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.
Cross-disciplinary Research in Action
Creating a networked approach to solving the worlds most pressing issues.
Climate + Digital
George Mason launches new Center for Satellite and Earth Science Research
Health + Digital
Space + Climate
George Mason scientist takes part in NASA mission to track Earths changing ice and forests
George Mason is Hard at Work
Through the Grand Challenge Initiative, George Mason is aligning and expanding its best-in-class scholarship, talent and leadership development, infrastructure, and multidisciplinary research approach to push the boundaries on progress over the next five years.
The future classroom: Teaching and learning in age of AI
On todays episode of Access to Excellence, Ingrid Guerra-L籀pez, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, joins President Gregory Washington to discuss the future of education in a rapidly changing world and why the irreplaceable human elements of teaching will define the profession's future even as technology transforms it.
Grand Challenge Initiative in Action
With faculty and staff at the forefront of their fields and more than 40,000 students from across the globe, these George Mason Patriots share a commitment and vision to making the United States and the world better with their inventions, scholarship, and analysis. Here are a few highlights.
The (MVP) is a pathway to a bachelors degree or help starting a business for every Virginian who wants one. Through a network of community colleges, George Mason provides guaranteed admission to a bachelors degree program. George Mason also provides training and financial support for all Virginians who aspire to start a business through .
WATCH: 91做厙's program with six community colleges across the state featured on .
The , a partnership between the National Security Institutes Cyber and Tech Center (NSI CTC) at George Masons and the Howard University School of Business (HUSB) supported by $1 million from Googles Cybersecurity Clinics Fund, welcomed its first cohort earlier this academic year.
READ: Student research advances phishing detection and cybersecurity innovation
91做厙 is home to the that will put an artificial star in orbit around the Earth. This artificial star will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars.
LEARN: Five Things to Know about George Masons First Space Mission
Peter Plavchan, Associate Professor and Observatory Director, College of Science.
The George Mason Advantage
From robust curriculum and new workforce training programs to state-of-the-art labs and centers, George Mason is home to the countrys next generation of inspired leaders, visionary researchers, and innovative entrepreneurs.
George Mason Leads Where Disciplines Converge
The groundbreaking work of our faculty across disciplines is among the reasons why U.S. News & World Report named George Mason the most innovative public university in Virginia for two years in a row.
George Mason and TreQ bring the first open-architecture quantum computing system to Virginia
Located on one of George Masons Northern Virginia campuses, it will be the first U.S. deployment of a computing system based on TreQs proprietary Open Architecture Quantum framework. Backed by a $7.7M investment including strategic support from VIPC and TreQ, the system is planned for installation in 2027. Read more.
GCI Catalyst Project aims to tackle human rights issues with help of AI
George Mason professor Cher Weixia Chen is leading a Grand Challenge Initiative project to build an AI-powered virtual classroom that helps users apply human rights principles to real-world decisions. Discover more.
The Invisible Front Lines
Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid dementia care for loved ones. Meet the George Mason researchers building technology and communityfrom virtual support groups to VR empathy trainingto help caregivers cope, connect, and carry on. Learn more.
World-Class Experts
George Mason is home to world-renowned faculty and researchers who are driving breakthroughs in AI, cybersecurity, climate resilience, health innovation, and space research. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and global partnerships, George Mason experts are at the forefront of tackling the worlds most complex challenges.
LISTEN to Access to Excellence
President Gregory Washington hosts Access to Excellence, a podcast with leaders and experts across the university discussing and debating the worlds most pressing challenges. Dive into conversations with George Masons thought leaders.
Student-First Approach to Career Preparation
Ranking #1 in Virginia for best value, internships, and upward mobility, George Mason is committed to hands-on, future-focused education that prepares students for high-impact careers. Students have access to:
- Research opportunities with faculty starting in their first year through the Office of Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) and Summer Impact projects.
- Internships and industry connections partnerships with leading tech, health, and policy organizations provide career-ready experiences.
- An education designed for the modern student multidisciplinary coursework, experiential learning, individualized study, modular programming and certificates, student success coaches, and the Patriot Experience: Career Readiness, Well-Being, and Global Citizenship.
Advanced coursework in AI and Emerging Technologies AI-driven learning, cybersecurity innovation, and multidisciplinary training equip students for the future workforce. Learn more about what George Mason is doing to harness Artificial Intelligence.
EXPLORE Artificial Intelligence at George Mason
Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CRA) Minor A 10-credit interdisciplinary program open to all undergraduates, the CRA Minor equips students with the tools to create real-world solutions for communities facing climate change.
LEARN MORE
International Recognition | Global Reach
Building on the success of the universitys campus in Songdo, South Korea, George Mason is exploring partnerships in India, Vietnam, and other regions that would offer those students access to Masons faculty and U.S. campuses while building relationships locally.
Top-ranked in online education, research innovation, and workforce development
READ:
Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH).
Next Stop, the World
At this moment, there is a member of the Mason Nation on just about every continent of the globe: conducting research, mastering a language, learning a new skill, and acquiring new knowledge.
An Infrastructure That Is Future-Proofed
Over its first 50 years, George Mason developed in response to the needs of the dynamic Washington, D.C., region. Built with public-private partnerships, this modern university is designed to be an integral part of a diverse communitya place where families live and play, students learn and succeed, entrepreneurs innovate, and businesses grow. It now is a dynamic, nimble institution poised to lead for the next 50 years.
Powerhouse Advancing an Economic Corridor Just Outside Washington, D.C.
With growing campuses across Northern Virginia creating a thriving economic corridor from Washington, D.C., to Prince William County, Geoge Mason is growing the access and resources to create an integrated universityaligned internally and connected to businessthat dynamically responds to the evolving needs of the greater Washington, D.C. region.
Join the Grand Challenge Initiative
Get involved. Learn more about the issues. Shape solutions. Engage the Mason Nation.
The Grand Challenge Initiative is entering its second year and gaining momentum. Stay tuned for updates, news stories, information on funding opportunities, and events tied to our six interlocking solutions. The Year 2 Request for Proposals is currently underway. Reach out to your unit leaders and communicators with ideas, resources, and questions.
College and unit communicators can find graphics, templates, and messaging guidance in the . Mason NetID required to download assets.
Catch up on more stories:
- September 16, 2026
- September 14, 2026
- September 10, 2026
- September 2, 2026
- July 17, 2026
Year 2 Request for Proposals (RFP)
Details, including an FAQ and budget worksheet, were available for 91做厙's Grand Challenge Initiative RFP to advance transformative solutions.