The Global Futures Office is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the Global Futures Fund, a key initiative supporting the University of Waterloo's long-term strategic vision, Waterloo at 100, and its commitment to shaping the future of humanity and our planet through five interconnected Global Futures: Societal, Health, Sustainable, Technological and Economic.
The Global Futures Fund is designed to catalyze interdisciplinary initiatives and networks that span faculties, disciplines, campus units and external partnerships. Through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process, eight projects were selected from a highly competitive pool of 63 initial submissions and 15 full proposals. The total funding awarded in this first round is $2,260,000.
Waterloo researchers are transforming complex challenges into opportunities for global impact. These eight interdisciplinary projects have been selected to advance research and initiatives both locally and globally across areas such as housing, climate change, transportation, gender justice, Indigenous knowledge and cybersecurity.
Funded Projects
Acting locally, leading globally with Build Now Waterloo Region
Lead: Dr. Leia Minaker
Funding: $350,000 over 3 years
Impact: A living lab embedded in North America's largest affordable home ownership project, this initiative integrates research, education and service to scale sustainable housing solutions. It engages students through capstones, co-op and bootcamps, and partners with the European Network of Living Labs.
The future in motion: Exploring the future of transportation
Lead: Dr. Suzanne Kearns
Funding: $375,000 over 3 years
Impact: This project fosters innovation in sustainable, safe and equitable transportation through interdisciplinary research, co-op expansion and a Sustainable Transportation Summit.
The future of work: Integrating technology, social infrastructure, ethics and education
Lead: Dr. Edith Law
Funding: $450,000 over 3 years
Impact: A multidisciplinary institute addressing AI and automation in work environments, this initiative includes research, education pilots and community engagement to shape ethical and inclusive futures of work.
Building Canada's capacity to address climate change
Lead: Dr. Sarah Burch
Funding: $350,000 over 3 years
Impact: Through professional training and a new certificate program, this initiative strengthens climate-resilient infrastructure and policy innovation across sectors.
Creating Canada's largest capstone ecosystem
Lead: Dr. Derek Rayside
Funding: $294,000 over 3 years
Impact: This initiative scales a cross-campus capstone ecosystem, connecting students with real-world partners to address Global Futures challenges and build sustainable revenue models.
SIGNAL Network: Strategies for intersectional gender justice
Lead: Dr. Brianna Wiens
Funding: $100,000 over 1 year
Impact: Focused on equity and liberation, SIGNAL will host public events, develop policy briefs and create pedagogical tools to advance intersectional gender justice.
Indigenous futures circle
Lead: Dr. John Lewis
Funding: $138,338 over 2 years
Impact: Collaborating with Indigenous knowledge keepers and communities, this initiative supports culturally grounded solutions through workshops, publications and capstone development.
Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute
Lead: Dr. N. Asokan
Funding: $200,000 over 3 years
Impact: A leading research institute advancing information security and privacy through education, conferences and governance workshops, in collaboration with WatSPEED and industry partners.
These projects exemplify the collaborative spirit and innovative thinking that define Waterloo's approach to addressing global challenges. We look forward to seeing their impact unfold.
We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in the pitch process and submitted a proposal. The breadth and quality of ideas were inspiring, and we congratulate the successful teams whose initiatives will help propel Waterloo's strategic vision forward.
Stay tuned for more activity from the Global Futures Office this fall including the launch of the second round of funding. To learn more, visit the Global Futures website.
