Priorities and Research Needs for an Equitable Energy Transition

This workshop series is funded by the National Science Foundation (Award #2027097) as part of the NSF 2026 Idea Machine initiative. The aim of the Idea Machine was to uncover “grand challenges” in research with the potential for transformative impact, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the Nation in 2026.

These workshops led to a paper in Nature Energy with authors across 11 prominent colleges and universities outlining action items for government agencies and philanthropic institutions to actively commit to an equitable energy transition. Those five key action items include: reframing equity as integral to energy technology research due to its impact on society; soliciting community input throughout the grant cycle; developing formal ways to resolve challenges that arise from community engagement; expanding review and award criteria to include assessments of community involvement, equity analysis and multidisciplinary engagement; and instituting structural reforms to better fit the needs of interdisciplinary research at all levels.