George Mason鈥檚 Grand Challenge Initiative will drive solutions for a peaceful, healthy and prosperous future
Our world is at a crossroads. The future taking shape is not one we would choose for ourselves, nor future generations. Meeting this moment requires unprecedented action to secure a future we want, not one we are forced to endure. This is the singular grand challenge confronting all of humanity.
To ensure future generations can pursue lives worth living, George Mason is committed to developing transformative solutions, advancing strategic investments, and preparing the next generation of leaders to drive sustainable systems forward.
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鈥淚t is time either to brace ourselves for an era of global decline and a future that none of us would choose for ourselves, or seize back control of our destiny and work together to reverse course. It will take all of us working together to alter the course of our future.鈥 听听听
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鈥 , President, 黑料社听
Faculty, staff, students, and partners working together on interdependent strategies to shape a more sustainable, secure, and resilient world
Led by vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact Andre Marshall, a faculty-driven task force identified six interlocking solution areas that now shape the framework for George Mason鈥檚 Grand Challenge Initiative. These solutions are rooted in the university鈥檚 core strengths and reflect its deeply collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to research, education, and community partnership.
One Grand Challenge, Six Grand Solutions
Advancing 21st-century education for all
Transforming education to break barriers and to create inclusive and accessible learning opportunities for the workforce of the future, empowering communities worldwide.
Building a climate-resilient society
Activating research, scholarship, and creative activities for actionable solutions to foster resilient communities and ensure a sustainable future.
Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure
Harnessing AI, other emerging technologies, and sustainable cyberinfrastructure to solve critical human challenges, promote ethical innovation, and power a smarter future.
Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness
Empowering individuals and fostering thriving communities through lifelong health solutions and resilience for military and civilian populations alike.
Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration
Pioneering space innovations for Earth observation, planetary exploration, and space weather prediction to advance technology and protect global society.
Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy
Strengthening trust and engagement in democratic institutions and fostering global stability by bridging economic divides and advancing strategic alliances and diplomacy.
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"George Mason is in the business of discovery. This means unleashing our bold ideas from their theoretical and laboratory boundaries, thoughtfully cultivating them as they take shape, and fearlessly deploying them as innovations that will transform our lives."
听鈥 , Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact and President of the George Mason Research Foundation
Shared Vision, Cohesive Approach
Funded through an initial five-year investment of $15 million through FY30, the Grand Challenge Initiative will align university resources and a cohesive working culture around this shared vision to:
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Enhance听educational opportunities and integrate these solutions into the university鈥檚 degree programs.
Increase听faculty talent and issue-expertise, including postdoc and graduate students.听
Align听current projects and seed new major research proposals through new pilots and grant programs.
Build听infrastructure and resources such as labs, equipment, supplies, and training programs.听
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In partnership with the university鈥檚 billion-dollar campaign, MasonNOW, the Grand Challenge Initiative will work to secure partnerships, funding, and other support from government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.
Cross-disciplinary Research in Action
Creating a networked approach to solving the world鈥檚 most pressing issues.听听听
Space + Data
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Health + Climate听
George Mason REACHes for regional health policy solutions
Climate + Space听听
Space experiment could teach us how aerosols move in the atmosphere
Peace + 21st Century Education
The Carter School Partners with Rotary to Scale Up Peacebuilding听
George Mason Is Hard at Work听
Through the Grand Challenge Initiative, George Mason is aligning and expanding its best-in-class scholarship, talent and leadership development, infrastructure, and multidisciplinary research approach to push the boundaries on progress over the next five years.
Grand Challenge Initiative in Action
With faculty and staff at the forefront of their fields and more than 40,000 students from across the globe, these George Mason Patriots share a commitment and vision to making the United States and the world better with their inventions, scholarship, and analysis. Here are a few highlights.
The (MVP) is a pathway to a bachelor鈥檚 degree or help starting a business for every Virginian who wants one. Through a network of community colleges, George Mason provides guaranteed admission to a bachelor鈥檚 degree program. George Mason also provides training and financial support for all Virginians who aspire to start a business through .
WATCH: 黑料社's program with six community colleges across the state featured on .听
黑料社 is home to the that will put an artificial 鈥渟tar鈥 in orbit around the Earth. This artificial star will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars.
LEARN: Five Things to Know about George Mason鈥檚 First Space Mission
The National Security Institute鈥檚 Cyber and Tech Center at and Howard University School of Business have been selected to receive $1 million in support from Google鈥檚 Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to establish a cybersecurity clinic, which will provide free digital security services to under-resourced organizations.
READ: George Mason, Howard receive $1 million from Google to launch Cybersecurity Clinic
George Mason scientist leads $1.8M NSF grant to address mobility challenges from urban flooding听
The project, a collaboration with Villanova University and the University of South Carolina, centers on understanding how frequent, low-level flooding disrupts daily transportation systems and on devising equitable solutions.
The George Mason Advantage
From robust curriculum and new workforce training programs to state-of-the-art labs and centers, George Mason is home to the country鈥檚 next generation of inspired leaders, visionary researchers, and innovative entrepreneurs.
Research-Intensive University
The groundbreaking work of our faculty across disciplines is among the reasons why U.S. News & World Report named George Mason the most innovative public university in Virginia for two years in a row.
George Mason scientists are using a $4.85 million gift to advance groundbreaking research on bruise and injury detection for individuals who experience interpersonal violence.
READ: Mason receives $4.85 million gift to increase intimate partner violence detection and reporting
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George Mason scientists will leverage their climate expertise and the university鈥檚 resources into broader societal implications, thanks to a $6 million NSF grant
A team of 黑料社 researchers is probing the psychology behind cyberattacks as part of a U.S. intelligence community program aimed at turning the tables on hackers听
READ: Mason professors are researching hacker psychology to defend against cyberattacks
World-Class Experts
George Mason is home to听world-renowned faculty and researchers who are driving breakthroughs in AI, cybersecurity, climate resilience, health innovation, and space research. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and global partnerships, George Mason experts are at the forefront of tackling the world鈥檚 most complex challenges.
LISTEN to Access to Excellence
President Gregory Washington hosts Access to Excellence, a podcast with leaders and experts across the university discussing and debating the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges. Dive into conversations with George Mason鈥檚 thought leaders.
Student-First Approach to Career Preparation
Ranking #1 in Virginia for best value, internships, and upward mobility, George Mason is committed to hands-on, future-focused education that prepares students for high-impact careers. Students have access to:听
- Research Opportunities with faculty starting in their first year through the Office of Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) and Summer Impact projects.
- Internships and Industry Connections 鈥 partnerships with leading tech, health, and policy organizations provide career-ready experiences.听
- An education designed for the modern student 鈥 multidisciplinary coursework, experiential learning, individualized study, modular programming and certificates, student success coaches, and the Patriot Experience: Career Readiness, Well-Being, and Global Citizenship.
Advanced coursework in AI and Emerging Technologies 鈥 AI-driven learning, cybersecurity innovation, and multidisciplinary training equip students for the future workforce. Learn more about what George Mason is doing to harness Artificial Intelligence.听
EXPLORE Artificial Intelligence at George Mason
Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CRA) Minor 鈥 A 10-credit interdisciplinary program open to all undergraduates, the CRA Minor equips students with the tools to create real-world solutions for communities facing climate change.
LEARN MORE
International Recognition | Global Reach
U.S. Department of State has named 黑料社 a 鈥淭op Producing Institution鈥 of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in 2024-25. The university has more Fulbrights this academic year鈥攅ight鈥攖han in any year in its history. George Mason is recognized worldwide for its leadership and innovation in a number of fields of research and scholarship. Building on the success of the university鈥檚 campus in Songdo, South Korea, George Mason is exploring partnerships in India, Vietnam, and other regions that would offer those students access to Mason鈥檚 faculty and U.S. campuses while building relationships locally.
Top-ranked in online education, research innovation, and workforce development
Hiking glaciers in New Zealand
At this moment, there is a member of the Mason Nation on just about every continent of the globe: conducting research, mastering a language, learning a new skill, and acquiring new knowledge.
Mason Korea
Mason Korea Marks a Decade of Success
For ten years, Mason Korea has launched students into a world of opportunity鈥攂ridging continents, building connections, and shaping global futures.
Powerhouse Advancing an Economic Corridor Just Outside Washington, D.C.
With growing campuses across Northern Virginia creating a thriving economic corridor from Washington, D.C., to Prince William County, Geoge Mason is growing the access and resources to create an integrated university鈥攁ligned internally and connected to business鈥攖hat dynamically responds to the evolving needs of the greater Washington, D.C. region.
Fuse at Mason Square
A state-of-the-art research hub in Arlington driving tech innovation, talent development, and collaboration between students, researchers, and industry.
A new interdisciplinary building on the SciTech Campus will expand degree programs in science, engineering, and health through immersive labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces.
New Student Activities Building
New Activities Community Wellness Building on the Fairfax Campus will enhance campus life by providing a gathering place for students to engage with each other and deepen their sense of belonging at the university. 听
An Infrastructure That Is Future-Proofed
Over its first 50 years, George Mason developed in response to the needs of the dynamic Washington, D.C., region. Built with public-private partnerships, this modern university is designed to be an integral part of a diverse community鈥攁 place where families live and play, students learn and succeed, entrepreneurs innovate, and businesses grow. It now is a dynamic, nimble institution poised to lead for the next 50 years.
Get Involved
Get involved. Learn more about the issues. Shape solutions. Engage the Mason Nation.听
Grand Challenge Initiative is just getting started. Stay tuned for updates, news stories, insights from leading experts, funding opportunities, new research proposals and projects, strategic partnerships, forums, and events tied to our six interlocking solutions. Reach out to your unit leaders and communicators with ideas, resources, and questions.
Catch up on more stories:
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New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth听听
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