Our Research: External Partnerships

To advance research on a diverse range of sustainability issues, UC Davis partners with philanthropic organizations, industry, government agencies and other groups. Our collaborations involve energy efficiency, agriculture, transportation, water and air quality among many areas of research. 

Featured partnerships

Architect's rendering of a classroom in the Teaching and Research Winery.

Philanthropy supports sustainably produced wine, beer and food

With the help of philanthropic gifts from individuals, foundations and businesses, UC Davis is building the first winery, brewery and food processing facility designed to meet the Platinum-level LEED certification — the highest level of recognition for green building and construction standards. The August A. Busch III Brewing and Food Science Laboratory and the Teaching and Research Winery — both part of UC Davis' Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science — have been constructed entirely with private philanthropic funding. These facilities include such sustainable design features as rooftop solar cells, rainwater collection and storage systems, and the use of recycled building materials. The new facilities will enable UC Davis to serve as an international example for how sustainable practices can be integrated into the wine, brewing and food industries. Major gifts to the facility were generously given from donors including: the late Robert Mondavi, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Morning Star Packing Company, Silverado Vineyards, Ronald and Diane Miller, Jess Jackson and his wife, Barbara Banke, of Kendall-Jackson Wines and Jerry Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. 

Architect's rendering of UC Davis West Village.

Public-private partnership helps build zero net energy community

UC Davis West Village is an example of a public-private partnership that advances sustainability. The new development, designed as a zero net energy community and as a model for future communities, includes residential, commercial and educational facilities. The community will meet its annual energy demand through through significant energy efficiency measures and on-site generation of renewable electricity.

Special design elements and technologies like high-efficiency lighting, solar-reflective roof materials, well-insulated exterior walls and high-efficiency air conditioning systems will help residents conserve energy. The California Energy Commission has awarded UC Davis a grant of nearly $2 million to design energy-saving features and a smart grid for the project, and Chevron Energy Solutions has helped formulate the energy strategy for the development. The Pacific Gas & Electric Company is also a key partner on the UC Davis West Village project.

Collaborating institutions demonstrate efficient lighting technology

The California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis was established as a collaboration between the California Energy Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. The center furthers energy efficient lighting technologies in partnership with utilities, manufacturers, researchers and governmental agencies. The center's projects are funded through state agencies like the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program, and partners include California State University, Lithonia Lighting, LaMar Lighting Co. and Hunter Lighting Group.

Interested in joining us?

For more information about joining with UC Davis as a partner to innovate and advance knowledge on sustainability, please contact the following UC Davis offices:

• The UC Davis Office of Research helps facilitate and strengthen research relationships between UC Davis and government and industry. The office is also charged with reviewing extramural research awards. Phone: (530) 754-7679
• UC Davis InnovationAccess, a unit of the UC Davis Office of Research, helps connect UC Davis research to the marketplace. InnovationAccess facilitates research alliances with industry and supports the commercialization of UC Davis technologies in early stages of development. Phone: (530) 754-8649
• The UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship runs programs that help campus researchers explore future business opportunities that stem from their work, design future research aimed at practical applications and build skills necessary to communicate the value of their research. The center's research addresses effective practices for early-stage innovation and entrepreneurship. Phone: (530) 752-9397
• The UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center is an incubator for collaborative scientific discoveries that improve human health. Through programs focused on pilot and collaborative studies, translational technologies, resources and methodologies, and community engagement, among others, the center seeks to turn silos of research into medical discoveries, bringing new treatments to patients faster. The center works with corporations and other private institutions to advance research. Phone: (916) 703-9121