Chancellor Challenge
Innovative, interdisciplinary collaboration for the common good
Meeting the Challenge
The Chancellor Challenge periodically invites members of Rutgers–New Brunswick’s rich and diverse scholarly community to propose transformational, campus-wide initiatives focused on specific goals of the Academic Master Plan. The Chancellor’s Office selects outstanding ideas for development, grant funding, and implementation.
Awarded Projects
In November 2022 and May 2024, the Chancellor Challenge sought innovative initiatives that advance specific pillars of the Academic Master Plan. Selected proposals were chosen through a competitive review process.
Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI)
Date Awarded: July 1, 2023
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences
Principal Investigators: Julie Lockwood, Director, Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI) and Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; and Robin Leichenko, Division Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Professor, Dept. of Geography, School of Arts and Sciences
About: The Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI), submitted as Transforming Climate Change Scholarship at Rutgers–New Brunswick, brings together scholars from science, policy, engineering, and the arts to foster collaborative solutions for a sustainable future. Through interdisciplinary grants, student fellowships, and cross-sector partnerships, RCEI is expanding Rutgers–New Brunswick’s capacity for climate-focused research.
Impact: As of June 2026, RCEI is strengthening Rutgers' climate and energy research ecosystem by convening interdisciplinary collaborations, supporting proposal development through its Groundwork Grants, and advancing initiatives in climate, energy, artificial intelligence, and sustainability governance. The institute is expanding student education and workforce development through its Clean Energy Fellowship, student support programs, and internships, to mentor the next generation of researchers. RCEI is also increasing its research visibility and institutional reach by growing its network of 230+ affiliates, enhancing communications, and fostering national and international partnerships. Together, these efforts are advancing interdisciplinary scholarship, expanding engagement opportunities, and reinforcing Rutgers' leadership in climate, energy, and sustainability research.
Wind Energy Test (WET) Center
Date Awarded: July 1, 2023
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: School of Engineering, School of Arts and Sciences
Principal Investigators: Onur Bilgen, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering; and Josh Kohut, co-founder of the Center for Ocean Observing Leadership and Professor of Marine Science, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
About: The Wind Energy Test (WET) Center Project, submitted as Planning for a Future Full-Feature Net-Zero Wind Energy Test (WET) Center, is a signature initiative of Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI). The effort includes two key components: (1) the preliminary design of a Net-Zero Wind Energy Test (WET) Center that could potentially be located near the Jersey Shore, and (2) development and implementation of a smaller WET Lab on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus. The WET Center Project tackles the future of wind energy by validating predictive models for floating offshore wind turbines, thereby addressing challenges in installation, transportation, and ultimately the cost of energy.
Impact: As of June 2026, the team has completed the design of a custom closed-loop wind tunnel and is progressing with its facility fabrication and equipment acquisition. The project is driving innovation in floating offshore wind turbine modeling and control research while also strengthening the wind energy workforce through graduate student training and supporting major conferences.
Cluster on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Date Awarded: November 8, 2023
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Communication and Information, School of Engineering, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
About: The Cluster on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSAI) is hiring 11 new faculty members and creating a cross-disciplinary scholarly community focused on the societal benefits and implications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The four faculty cluster teams include:
- Transparency and Interpretability of AI
- Computational Social Science: Social Inequality and Democratic Participation
- Data Science-Enabled Engineering
- AI for Climate and Biodiversity
Impact: As of June 2026, there are currently six completed hires, two pending hires to start in FY2027, and three active searches underway.
“RU Engaged” Service-Learning Byrne Seminars with Integrated Alternative Spring Breaks
Date Awarded: July 1, 2025
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: Division of Student Affairs, Byrne Seminars, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Principal Investigators: Cara Cuite, Associate Extension Specialist and Undergraduate Program Director, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; and Kathe Newman, Professor, Dept. of Urban Planning and Policy Development, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and Director, Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement
About: “RU Engaged” Service-Learning Byrne Seminars with Integrated Alternative Spring Breaks provides first-year students with a suite of seminars on the inner workings of community engagement, focused on social determinants of health. Each seminar links an alternative spring break of service-learning with community-based organizations in the City of New Brunswick.
Impact: As of June 2026, the team successfully launched the pilot RU Engaged Byrne Seminar Spring Break, bringing together 16 Byrne students, six support students, and staff from the Office of Alternative Breaks. In partnership with Unity Square Community Organization, Elijah’s Promise, and REPLENISH, students participated in service-learning projects and connected with the New Brunswick community. Students reported that the program positively influenced their academic and possible career goals. To further strengthen community-engaged learning across Rutgers–New Brunswick, the team also convenes RU Community-Engaged Teaching Community of Practice and RU Engaged Advisory Group meetings with faculty and the Rutgers–New Brunswick community.
Faculty Career Fellows
Date Awarded: July 1, 2025
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: Career Exploration and Success (CES), Institute for Teaching, Innovation, and Inclusive Pedagogy (TIIP)
Principal Investigators: Rania Plazas, Assistant Director of Rutgers Internship and Co-Op Programs, Career Exploration and Success; and Tracie Addy, Director, Institute for Teaching, Innovation, and Inclusive Pedagogy
About: Faculty Career Fellows provides faculty members with the skills and resources needed to help their students connect their classroom learning goals with career readiness competencies, thus building the skills that will lead to post-graduation success.
Impact: As of June 2026, the inaugural cohort successfully completed the full program and expanded their teaching practice through an in-person workshop, communities of practice, self-paced learning, and a culminating project. Faculty participants integrated essential career readiness competencies directly into their syllabi, assessments, and assignments. By demonstrating exactly how classroom learning translates into high-value workplace skills, the program is strengthening connections among academics, students, and employers.
Student Wellness Collaborative
Date Awarded: July 1, 2025
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Division of Student Affairs, ScarletWell
Principal Investigators: Ann Gould, Dean of Academic Programs, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; and Patty Oehmke, Director of Wellness and Professor of Practice, Dept. of Family and Community Health Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
About: The Student Wellness Collaborative is piloting a holistic wellness hub that leverages the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH)’s green spaces and other facilities. The initiative offers programs addressing the eight dimensions of financial, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and environmental wellness; reducing stigma around wellness services; offering experiential learning and leadership opportunities for students; and supporting a culture of community-building and resilience.
Impact: As of June 2026, The Nest was launched to transform the Wellness Hub from a collection of activities into a recognizable destination where students can gather, study, connect with peers, access wellness resources, and participate in engaging programs. Signature initiatives—including chair massage, Bingo, Jazz on the Patio, Wellness Through Clay, Pilates on the Patio, Wellness Week, Fuel Up for Finals, and ambassador engagement activities—were intentionally designed to foster belonging, interaction, and relationship building. The project also continues to strengthen the daily student experience by increasing awareness of campus wellness resources, expanding student leadership through the Student Wellness Ambassador Program, and building sustainable assessment and operational practices to support long-term impact.
Completed Projects
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Date Awarded: July 1, 2023
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: School of Engineering, School of Arts and Sciences
Principal Investigators: Alyson Brooks, Associate Professor, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, School of Arts and Sciences; and Shantenu Jha, Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering
About: The Cyberinfrastructure for AI for Science and Society (CASS) was established to develop the cyberinfrastructure, tools, and AI capabilities needed to accelerate scientific, engineering, and environmental discovery at Rutgers–New Brunswick. By advancing scalable AI methods and integrating them into research workflows across disciplines, CASS enables collaborative, AI-driven innovation while strengthening the university's long-term research infrastructure.
Impact: Completed in June 2026, CASS significantly strengthened AI-driven interdisciplinary research at Rutgers–New Brunswick by supporting seed projects, research collaborations, workforce development, and community-building initiatives that connected researchers across disciplines. Through six interdisciplinary seed projects and sustained support for staff scientists, the initiative generated high-impact research outcomes, including multiple publications, conference presentations, external grant proposals, and an NIH R21 award, while advancing applications in areas such as protein design, climate modeling, cybersecurity, and social-impact research. CASS also helped develop the next generation of AI researchers by supporting students, postdoctoral scholars, undergraduate research experiences, and widely attended AI/ML training programs. Its workshops and networking events fostered new collaborations that led to additional funding opportunities and expanded the use of advanced computational methods across disciplines. Although CASS is sunsetting, its successful model for interdisciplinary AI research has been adopted and expanded by the Rutgers Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (RAD) Collaboratory.
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Date Awarded: March 13, 2023
Rutgers–New Brunswick Units: School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Mason Gross School of the Arts
Principal Investigators: Rebecca Cypess, Former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor, Dept. of Music, Mason Gross School of the Arts; and Mary Nucci, Assistant Dean for Campus Engagement and Associate Teaching Professor, Dept. of Human Ecology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
About: Notice Nature was an art-science collaboration designed to support students’ wellness and their connection to the natural world. Through weekly nature journaling sessions, students learned to observe nature closely and record their observations by drawing, asking questions, and writing.
Impact: Completed in May 2024, 185+ undergraduate and graduate students participated in the initiative’s weekly nature journal sessions. Results indicated that students felt calmer, more at peace, more aware of their surroundings, and more closely connected to the environment through these nature journaling sessions. However, these outcomes were not sustained unless students continued the practices after the organized sessions.
Learn More About the Academic Master Plan
Explore the Academic Master Plan and its initiatives.