Viterbi GCSP Program Overview
NAE Grand Challenges!
The Grand Challenges were first introduced by the NAE in 2008 and are divided into four broad themes. Students are welcome to pursue one of the 14 identified Grand Challenges, but are also encouraged to engage with a theme broadly to identify a unique or unlisted challenge they feel passionate about.
The Four Themes of GCSP
Sustainability
Building a Greener, More Sustainable Future
- Making solar energy economical
- Providing energy from fusion
- Developing carbon sequestration methods
- Managing the nitrogen cycle
- Providing access to clean water
Security
Innovating to Keep Communities Safe and Resilient
- Securing cyberspace
- Preventing nuclear terror
- Restoring and improving urban infrastructure
Health
Advancing Wellness and Lifelong Vitality
- Engineering better medicines
- Advancing health informatics
- Reverse engineering the brain
Joy of Living
Enhancing Happiness, Creativity, and Wellbeing
- Enhancing virtual reality
- Advancing personalized learning
- Engineering the tools of scientific discovery