University Affiliate Benefits & Resources

Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD)

A premier benefit of University Affiliate membership is representation on the NCSE's Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (CEDD). Launched in 2001, CEDD currently includes leading environmental faculty from over 150 affiliate institutions representing academic environmental programs of all sizes and types. Government agencies, national and international organizations, and business groups seek out CEDD as a gateway to working with the academic environmental community. The president of each University Affiliate school is invited to designate a representative to serve on CEDD.

Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders (CEREL)

NCSE recently launched the Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders (CEREL) in June 2008. CEREL has a multidisciplinary membership, and has already grown to include over 30 heads of academic energy research and education centers, institutes, and programs. It aims to provide the means to collaboratively use knowledge about energy to improve decision-making, education, and societal well-being. Each University Affiliate school receives a discounted membership for CEREL and can have multiple energy programs participate.

National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment

NCSE convenes an annual national conference that brings together academic, government, business, scientific, and civil society leaders to address a critical environmental challenge.  The 9th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment, held in December 2008, focused on the theme of "Biodiversity in a Rapidly Changing World". The 10th National Conference, "The New Green Economy ", will be held January 20-22, 2010 in Washington, D.C. University Affiliate schools receive complimentary conference registrations for up to five faculty members and students (depending on school size).

University-Federal Dialogue on Environmental and Energy Research and Education Funding

Faculty and administrators at affiliate institutions have the opportunity to attend a members-only meeting with federal agency officials in the Obama administration that provide funding in environmental and energy research and education. This annual University-Federal Dialogue offers information and discussion on agencies' priorities, funding opportunities, and new initiatives of direct relevance to schools. It is an exceptional opportunity for participants to obtain first-hand information and develop relationships with federal officials.

Handbook Of Federal Funding For Environmental R&D

University Affiliate schools receive exclusive access to NCSE's online Handbook of Federal Funding for Environmental R&D. NCSE created the handbook to help faculty and administrators at universities and colleges identify opportunities for funding in the environmental and energy fields. The handbook covers a broad range of federal agencies and offices, describing how each office engages in environmental research and highlighting opportunities for universities to participate in federal extramural research.

Free Campus-wide Subscription to Environment and Energy Publications

NCSE provides member schools with a complimentary, campus-wide subscription to premier online publications by Environment & Energy (E&E) Publishing - Environment & Energy Daily, Greenwire, Land Letter and Environment & Energy News PM. These resources are useful to faculty in course preparation, to students in their classwork and policy research, and to administrators by keeping them informed on today's major issues. The service is valued at up to $6,000.

Campus to Careers (C2C) Program

NCSE's new Campus to Careers (C2C) program supports young professionals in their first steps towards a career in the environment. C2C provides paid environmental internship, fellowship and other short-term opportunities for students and recent graduates at federal agencies nationwide. Positions range from field and lab research to policy analysis and education. Candidates from University Affiliate schools receive preference in the application and placement process.

Advancement of Environmental Research and Education Funding at Federal and Non-Governmental Agencies

NCSE is a leading voice at the national level in support of extramural funding for environment and energy. NCSE works to promote funding at all major federal agencies and other organizations that support environmental research and education. Today, NCSE's activities to advance funding are more critical than ever:

• NCSE is a leader in the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, which has developed and promoted the Higher Education Sustainability Act (HESA) that funds sustainability programs at colleges and universities.  
• NCSE is working to promote a new initiative to double the budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF) . NCSE supported a call for increased science funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was recently signed by President Obama, and the 2009 Omnibus bills.  
• NCSE regularly testifies before Congress in support of environmental research and education programs.
• In recent years, NCSE organized successful campaigns to restore full funding to  EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR)  graduate fellowship program. NCSE continues to lead the effort to increase funding for STAR programs this year.
• NCSE is co-chair of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coalition, an alliance of 69 organizations that advocates for increased funding for environmental science programs at the USGS. In 2006, NCSE helped launch a coalition to support the programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).