TESS brings together nine institutions across Canada and Europe, and is supported by an ever-growing network of industry, government, and community partners. Through the program's transdisciplinary research opportunities, hands-on learning, and collaborative problem-solving, trainees leave the program equipped with not only deep technical expertise, but the ethical judgment, communication skills, community engagement experience, and policy understanding needed to develop practical and equitable sustainability solutions.

In recognition of the program's objectives, TESS has been awarded a $1.65 million NSERC CREATE grant over six years, to provide advanced training for undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers.

However, while federal research funding is critical to kickstart programs like TESS, it is intentionally designed to catalyze, not replace, philanthropic and private-sector investment. The NSERC CREATE grant provides a strong foundation for six years of student funding, but philanthropic support is essential to maximizing the program's impact and ensuring programs longevity beyond its current funding cycle. Donor contributions will enable TESS to support more students, expand their experiential learning opportunities, foster greater collaboration with community and industry partners, and accelerate the training of a generation of innovators and problem solvers.

Donor contributions will enable TESS to support more students by expanding their experiential learning opportunities, fostering greater collaboration with community and industry partners, and accelerating the training of a generation of innovators and problem solvers. Gifts will be used to support program delivery, experiential learning initiatives, industry and community engagement activities, educational resources, and other priorities that enhance student learning and professional development within TESS.

Your Impact

By supporting TESS, you are investing in the young people who will lead the transition to a more livable and regenerative planet for future generations. Your gift helps develop highly qualified professionals who will be capable of bridging disciplines, engaging communities, informing policy, and translating research into meaningful real-world action.

Every philanthropic dollar builds on a secure foundation of federal funding, amplifying its impact and helping ensure that more talented researchers have the opportunity to address the complex sustainability challenges facing our world.

Make a gift today and help empower the next generation of sustainability leaders.

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Gifts received to support these areas may be directed to either endowed or non-endowed initiatives depending on the greatest need. All gifts are accepted in accordance with the University's Gift Acceptance Guidelines, which ensure that the University retains ultimate authority over the use of donated funds and applies them in support of its charitable purposes and approved priorities.

Where a specific designation becomes fully supported, discontinued, or otherwise impractical to fulfill, the University may redirect the gift to a similar purpose or to the area of greatest need, consistent with donor intent and University priorities.

To learn more, please review the University's Gift Acceptance Guidelines.