A Future We Want

One Grand Challenge. Six Grand Solutions.

George Mason University has launched its Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI), a comprehensive research framework backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment. The initiative aligns university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solution areas addressing what George Mason President Gregory Washington describes as "humanity's ultimate grand challenge"—securing a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future.

"Our world is at a crossroads," Washington says. "It is time to either brace for global decline and a future that none of us wants, or seize control of our destiny and work to reverse course. It will take all of us working together on all these solutions at once to alter the trajectory of our future."

Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, leads the initiative, which was developed through a faculty-driven task force and focuses on six grand solutions:

• Advancing 21st-century education for all
• Building a climate-resilient society
• Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure
• Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness
• Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration
• Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

"George Mason is driven by discovery," says Marshall. "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."

GCI will enhance educational opportunities, increase faculty talent and expertise, align current research projects, seed new proposals, and build essential infrastructure across George Mason's campuses. Working in conjunction with the university's $1 billion Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign, the initiative seeks partnerships with government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.

Advancing 21st-Century Education for All

At George Mason, we believe talent is equally distributed among people, but opportunity is not. Education helps creates more productive ways to participate in civil society, allows more choice in how to contribute to the economy, and prepares people to make more informed choices for a healthy and prosperous life. As Virginia’s largest and most diverse university, George Mason is transforming excellence and access through flexible and scalable learning experiences, accessibility research, focused PreK-12 skill development, and robust STEM and systems-thinking education alongside critical thinking and cooperation skills.

"Future ready skills aren't just a buzzword—they are a necessity. Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, digital fluency, and environmental stewardship are the currency of tomorrow's workforce." 

—Ingrid Guerra Lopez, Dean, College of Education and Human Development

Building a Climate-Resilient Society

George Mason is applying science, policy, and innovation to safeguard communities and ecosystems through sustainable practices and infrastructure, real-time weather-related information, and community planning and preparedness training. From a solar-powered greenhouse that allows resilient food production to advanced predictive modeling that identifies weather-related or other natural disasters, the university is developing the leadership and talent to produce solutions alongside partners on a global scale.

"George Mason, being the largest public university in Virginia, owes it to the residents of the commonwealth to create innovative solutions to increase community resilience." 

—James Kinter, Director, Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies

Driving Responsible Digital Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure

From artificial intelligence and robotics to digital twins and quantum computing, new technologies are reshaping every aspect of life and culture at a rate faster than most institutions can keep up with. George Mason is researching and applying technologies that improve human life and a peaceful coexistence in increasingly digital societies by enhancing connectivity, economic opportunity, and reducing disparities through public services while also protecting the planet. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, workforce education, and public–private partnerships, George Mason is helping shape a digital future that is both ethical and advanced.

"We can no longer separate technology from the public good. Innovation must serve society, and at George Mason, we're doing just that." 

—Amarda Shehu, Chief AI Officer

Improving Human Health, Well-Being, and Preparedness

Healthy populations are less vulnerable to disease and crises and better equipped to contribute to peaceful and prosperous communities. George Mason is actively approaching improvements in health systems, mental well-being, and emergency preparedness to build resilience for the future. With a people-first integrated approach that advances science, develops talent, and strengthens communities, George Mason is modeling scenarios that prioritize access to preventative care while investing in emergency prevention and preparedness scenario training.

"We build strength across the health system by building people." 

- Melissa Perry, MBA '25, Dean, College of Public Health

Pioneering Space Exploration, Research, and Collaboration

Space exploration ofers essential tools for life on Earth—fueling technological breakthroughs, enhancing environmental forecasting, and expanding our understanding of the universe. From designing an artificial star with NASA to using satellite data for storm prediction, George Mason is driving space-based discovery that meets real-world needs—connecting knowledge to action and impact.

"Space exploration isn't just about discovery - it's about preserving our humanity and values beyond Earth." 

—Anamaria Berea, Professor, Computational and Data Sciences

Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy

Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy is vital for creating resilient, inclusive societies where individuals feel empowered to shape their future. George Mason is building civic trust and advancing peace by preparing students to lead, supporting global collaboration, and fostering community resilience. Working with faculty and experts on real-world policy solutions, George Mason equips the next generation to contribute meaningfully to democratic resilience at home and abroad.

"We teach our students to identify the underlying causes of conflict and equip them with the theory and practical skills to put their knowledge into action." 

—Alpasalan Ozerdem, Dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution