Our Mission

The MnDRIVE Environment initiative supports research and partnerships that develop sustainable solutions to environmental grand challenges, thereby enhancing quality of life and economic vitality in Minnesota and beyond. Hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment in collaboration with the College of Biological Sciences, we value proactive and long-lasting solutions that are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.

Our initiative is part of a University-wide partnership between the University of Minnesota (UMN) and the State of Minnesota that aligns areas of research strength with the State’s key and emerging industries to address grand challenges. MnDRIVE – Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy – supports research in five strategic areas: Brain Conditions, Cancer Clinical Trials, Environment, Global Food, and Robotics.