Research | Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Research

Explore our Research Centers & Initiatives

The world’s biggest sustainability, energy and environmental challenges require innovative, interdisciplinary, inclusive solutions. Our teams tackle complex, real-world problems — transitioning society to sustainable energy, agriculture, resource and infrastructure systems while mitigating and adapting to climate change. The iSEE model incorporates collaborations, cutting-edge science, stakeholder partnerships, and policymaking.

Our Research Themes

The sun sets over a field dotted with wind turbines.

Climate Solutions

Agricultural crops and solar panels share space in a field.

Energy Transitions

A small robot on wheels rolls between rows of crops.

Secure & Sustainable Agriculture

Bluebells in bloom at the university's Red Oak Rain Garden.

Sustainable Infrastructure

A lush green landscape meets a bright blue body of water.

Water & Land Stewardship

Inside a greenhouse, two student researchers are working with several types of young crops.

Engage with iSEE

As a premier research institution, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign features brilliant minds across its campus.

If you are a campus faculty member and your scholarly interests complement one or more of iSEE’s research themes, we encourage you to apply for iSEE faculty or affiliate status.

Our institute can help support your research by:

Building interdisciplinary teams
Developing grant proposals
Managing awards
Communicating your accomplishments
Providing seed funding

Learn about our Services Become an Affiliate Seed Funding Opportunities

Research News

Aerial shot of the University of Illinois campus.

iSEE Awards 2026-27 Seed Funding to Four Interdisciplinary Research Teams

iSEE Awards 2026-27 Seed Funding to Four Interdisciplinary Research Teams The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) has selected four research teams to receive 2026-27 seed funds supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing sustainability, energy, and environmental challenges.

A satellite map of a region in India showing red "heat islands" on a yellow and blue background. . Image courtesy NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY.

New AI-assisted Climate Study Reveals What Urban Heat Really Feels Like

A first-of-its-kind dataset developed by iSEE affiliate Lei Zhao and his team shows what heat in cities actually feels like to people and infrastructure — not just what satellites see from space.

A combine harvester moves through a golden wheat field, cutting grain and kicking up dust under a bright blue sky.

New International Research Platform to Cut Agricultural Emissions by Improving Nitrogen Use

U. of I. researchers are helping launch a new international effort to reduce agricultural emissions and improve how nitrogen is managed in farming systems, without sacrificing crop productivity.

iSEE Announces First Levenick Undergraduate Research Scholars

Five students will work with a faculty mentor to analyze a campus sustainability challenge and recommend solutions, gaining valuable environmental research experience.

Rows of crops grow between rows of solar panels.

Illinois Team Tests the Costs, Benefits of Agrivoltaics across the Midwest

An analyses showed agrivoltaics can increase or reduce yields and profits, depending on the crop and location, with humidity a key factor.

Lettuce growing inside a high tunnel at the Sustainable Student Farm.

2026 RFP: iSEE Announces Seed Funding for Interdisciplinary Research Teams

iSEE is accepting proposals to support interdisciplinary research on ambitious topics related to sustainability, energy, and environment.

New AI Method Advances Prediction of Brazil’s National Soybean Yield

Innovative work by Illinois researchers at the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center strengthens monitoring of global agricultural yields.

Large outdoor wastewater treatment basins filled with aerated, foamy water, separated by concrete dividers, with trees, utility poles, and industrial buildings visible in the background.

Illinois Helps Drive Nutrient Recovery for the Bioeconomy

A $3 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) is reimagining how wastewater can be transformed into a source of essential nutrients for agriculture and industry.

Bioenergy Crops Could Cut Aviation Emissions by 80%, Illinois-led Study Finds

The analysis outlines where these crops perform best and what factors shape their potential for sustainable aviation fuel.

Our Research Videos

Take an inside look at the work being done by our researchers to create real-world solutions to some of today’s most challenging problems.

Full Playlist