Governors Island Offers Five Figures for Climate Resiliency Ideas
A data point found at the convergence of doing good and doing well: Every dollar invested in climate adaptation and resiliency saves $13 in future economic costs, damages, and cleanup, according to the U.S Chamber of Commerce.
For this reason, the Trust for Governors Island has launched its third annual Climate Solutions Challenge, which is offering prizes of up to $10,000 (plus supplemental grants of up to $20,000) to winning entrants with an implementable idea that will help communities adapt to climate challenges facing New York City and other dense urban areas, such as chronic flooding, extreme heat, and water shortages.
This year, the Climate Solutions Challenge seeks proposals “that offer innovative approaches to improve urban buildings, infrastructure, and natural areas for thermal comfort, flood adaptation, and healthy environments; resiliency solutions for small businesses and nonprofits to minimize disruptions to critical operations; or climate risk management solutions, including tools for affordable, accessible community-scale measurement and sensing.”
In addition to prize money and supplemental grants, winners are eligible for rent-free space on Governors Island for up to 18 months to develop and demonstrate their projects. Applications are due by January 21.
To help candidate organizations prepare their applications, Governors Island will host informational webinars on December 16 and January 7, along with an in-person site tour on December 17, 2025. Winners will be announced in March.
Since the Climate Solutions Challenge launched in 2023, the Trust has supported 26 winning projects across the business and nonprofit sectors, with $277,000 awarded to participating organizations. “Through this program, companies are given the vital resources – time, space, and funds – to grow their ideas, test and demonstrate their products, and ultimately scale their businesses while helping contribute to New York City’s green economy,” says Lauren Wang, Climate Programs director at the Trust.
The Climate Challenge is a partner of the Center for Climate Solutions, a $700-million initiative that will combine interdisciplinary research on climate change with education. The planned 400,000-square-foot campus on Governors Island will include classrooms, research labs, exhibition space, and student and faculty housing. More than 170,000 square feet of space within existing, historic structures, such as Liggett Hall and the Fort Jay Theater, will be restored as part of the project. Construction will begin next year, with a projected opening in 2029.