New policy and process for considering funding from fossil fuel companies

At its meeting on 15 July 2024, University Council approved a new policy and process for considering funding from fossil fuel companies. Under the new policy and process, the University will not accept research or philanthropic funding from fossil fuel companies whose business models do not align with net zero 2050 (NZ2050) targets, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The Science Based Targets initiative’s definition will be used for determining which organisations will be considered as fossil fuel companies.  The exceptional circumstances under which  the Committee on Benefactions and External and Legal Affairs (CBELA) might consider funding from a fossil fuel company are designed to set a high bar and will be based on

1. whether the proposal offers a significant amount of funding (usually several million pounds), which could not be obtained elsewhere
2. whether the proposal advances the University’s overall academic and institutional aims as articulated in School Visions or equivalent, including for Non-School Institutions.

Further details are available from the Cambridge University Reporter. If you have any queries about any future research funding involving fossil fuel companies, please email rooduediligence@admin.cam.ac.uk.