Applied research
Supporting research that addresses practical questions in sustainable energy, digital infrastructure and responsible technology.
Focus area
Education, Research & Training
Building the knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable digital and energy transition through research, open learning and professional development.
Why it matters
The transition to sustainable energy and digital systems depends on people: researchers who generate new knowledge, professionals who design and operate infrastructure, educators who train the next generation and citizens who make informed choices.
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The fields at the heart of the Foundation's work, from renewable energy and data centers to artificial intelligence, are evolving quickly and increasingly overlap. This creates a need for interdisciplinary knowledge and for learning opportunities that keep pace with change throughout people's careers.
The Foundation seeks to contribute by supporting applied research, practical training and openly accessible learning resources, and by connecting the communities that produce and use knowledge.
Priority themes
Training and professional development
Encouraging learning opportunities that help professionals update and broaden their skills.
Open educational resources
Aiming to make learning materials and publications freely accessible for reuse and adaptation.
Knowledge exchange
Connecting researchers, educators, practitioners and policymakers to share insights and experience.
Our objectives
- Support applied and interdisciplinary research relevant to the Foundation's focus areas.
- Encourage training and professional development in sustainable energy, digital infrastructure and responsible AI.
- Make educational resources and research findings openly accessible wherever possible.
- Foster dialogue and knowledge exchange between academia, practitioners and public bodies.
- Help inspire students and young people to engage with sustainability and technology careers.
- Promote research integrity, transparency of methods and open sharing of results.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Foundation emphasise interdisciplinary learning?
Challenges such as powering data centers with renewable energy or using AI to optimise energy systems involve engineering, computing, environmental science, economics and policy at the same time. People working on them benefit from understanding several of these perspectives. The Foundation therefore encourages learning that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries.
What are open educational resources?
Open educational resources are learning and teaching materials that can be freely accessed, reused and adapted, subject to the terms of an open licence. They help knowledge reach a wider audience and allow educators to build on each other's work. The Foundation aims to share its own materials in this spirit wherever possible.
How can educational and research institutions work with the Foundation?
The Foundation welcomes dialogue with universities, schools, training providers and research organisations that share its goals. Possible forms of collaboration include joint research, training initiatives and knowledge exchange. Please see our partnerships page or contact us to start a conversation.
Learn and research with us
The Foundation welcomes educators, researchers and training providers who wish to contribute to a sustainable transition.
In practice
Projects in this area
Projects in this area are being prepared
Projects and initiatives will be published here as they are launched.
Insights
News & articles in this area
News for this area will appear here
Updates, announcements and articles will appear here as they are released.
Focus areas
Explore the other focus areas
- Innovation & Digital TransformationThe Foundation works to ensure that digital innovation contributes to sustainable development, through responsible design, open data and digital inclusion.
- Renewable Energy & Energy EfficiencyThe Foundation works to accelerate the shift to renewable energy and to advance energy efficiency, storage, flexibility and smart, digitally enabled energy systems.
- Sustainability & Climate ActionThe Foundation works to support credible climate action, from emissions reduction and resilience to circular resource use and transparent measurement.
- Sustainable Data Centers & Digital InfrastructureThe Foundation works to advance data centers and digital infrastructure that use energy efficiently, run on renewable power, reuse heat, conserve water and extend hardware life.
- AI & Emerging TechnologiesThe Foundation works to promote responsible, trustworthy AI, its use for climate and energy optimisation, awareness of its energy footprint, and the skills to use it well.
