Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary academic research institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that delivers undergraduate and graduate environmental education, operates four research centers, and serves students, Wisconsin communities, federal agencies, and research partners through funded environmental research and public programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersMadison, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison does
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is an academic research institute within the University of Wisconsin-Madison, founded in 1970 and named after Gaylord Nelson — Wisconsin governor, U.S. senator, and founder of Earth Day. Operating from Madison, WI with approximately 80 staff, the institute delivers interdisciplinary environmental education spanning undergraduate majors and certificates (Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Community Environmental Scholars) and graduate programs (MS/PhD in Environment and Resources, Water Resources Management, Environmental Conservation, Environmental Observation and Informatics, and certificates in Energy Analysis and Policy and Culture/History/Environment). Teaching and research are organized around four centers: the Center for Climatic Research, the Center for Culture, History, and Environment, the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), and the Center for Ecology and the Environment.
The institute's core technology is interdisciplinary environmental research that integrates natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with supporting infrastructure including the Global Land Use and Environment Lab (GLUEL), the Health-First Climate Action Research Center, the DOE Center on Upcycling of Waste Plastics (CUWP), and recurring publication platforms (The Commons magazine, Nelson Issue Brief). Knowledge distribution runs through community engagement events such as Earth Fest (50+ annual events), the Sustainable Success Lecture Series (with the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management), the Weston Roundtable, and Tales From Planet Earth.
The business model is a non-commercial academic funding stack: federal and state research grants (notably a $3.8M NIH grant in 2024 for the Health-First Center and a $10M DOE grant in 2021 for CUWP), university tuition flowing through UW-Madison, and philanthropic donations including the Morgridge $100M inspirational gift to UW-Madison. Customers are segmented across undergraduate and graduate students (primary), Wisconsin communities and tribal nations (regional policy/engagement), federal agencies such as NIH, DOE, and NSF, and research partners including UW-Milwaukee, Medical College of Wisconsin, QTS Data Centers, and WICCI. The institute does not pursue traditional revenue, has no public ticker, and is governed within the University of Wisconsin System.
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Legal name
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Website
- https://nelson.wisc.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary academic research institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that delivers undergraduate and graduate environmental education, operates four research centers, and serves students, Wisconsin communities, federal agencies, and research partners through funded environmental research and public programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Environmental Research
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)
Keywords
Where Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madison
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Higher Education Programs: The Institute generates value through educational programs including undergraduate majors, graduate degrees (MS and PhD), and professional certificates in environmental studies, water resources, environmental conservation, and energy policy
- Research Grants and Sponsored Programs: Federal and state research funding from agencies including NIH ($3.8M for Health-First Center), NSF, and DOE for environmental research initiatives
- Donations and Endowments: Gifts from alumni and supporters including the $100M Morgridge gift and various named professorships and scholarships
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate Environmental Studies Programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Graduate Programs (MS and PhD) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels13 records
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison delivers interdisciplinary environmental education and research. It offers undergraduate majors and certificates, graduate MS and PhD programs in environment and resources, water resources management, environmental conservation, environmental observation and informatics, and energy analysis and policy. The institute operates four research centers (Climatic Research; Culture, History, and Environment; Sustainability and the Global Environment; Ecology and the Environment) and disseminates knowledge through publications (The Commons magazine, Nelson Issue Brief) and public events (Earth Fest, Sustainable Success Lecture Series).
Product overview
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies is an academic institute at UW-Madison offering undergraduate and graduate educational programs in environmental studies. The institute operates four research centers (Center for Climatic Research, Center for Culture History and Environment, Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, and Center for Ecology and the Environment). It publishes The Commons Magazine (quarterly environmental publication) and Nelson Issue Brief (scholarship summaries). The institute hosts Earth Fest (annual environmental celebration with 50+ events) and the Sustainable Success Lecture Series (in partnership with the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Commons Magazine: UW-Madison's quarterly environmental magazine published by the Nelson Institute
- Nelson Issue Brief
- Sustainable Success Lecture Series
- Earth Fest
Products and services
- Undergraduate Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- NIH $3.8M grant for Health-First Climate Action Research Center
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- QTS Data CenterscoreResearch partnership to explore sustainable development of data centers. Nelson Institute researchers will investigate environmental impacts and sustainability solutions for QTS Data Centers operations.
- UW-MilwaukeecorePartner in Health-First Climate Action Research Center, bringing expertise from UW-Milwaukee alongside UW-Madison and Medical College of Wisconsin faculty to study health and equity impacts of energy transition.
- Medical College of WisconsincorePartner in Health-First Climate Action Research Center, contributing medical and health expertise to study connections between climate change, energy policy, and human health outcomes.
- MKE FreshAir CollectiveminorCommunity partner in Health-First Climate Action Research Center, contributing community-based air quality expertise and engagement.
- U.S. Department of EnergycoreDOE-funded Center on Upcycling of Waste Plastics (CUWP) directed by George Huber, focusing on breakthrough recycling technologies.
- Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management, UW School of BusinessflagshipLong-standing partnership presenting the annual Sustainable Success Lecture Series, exploring financial and environmental benefits of sustainability in business contexts.
- Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI)coreNationally recognized collaboration of scientists and stakeholders working to help Wisconsin policymakers understand climate change impacts and develop adaptation strategies.
- Painted Dog Conservation (PDC)minorZimbabwe-based conservation organization where Nelson Institute student David Kuvawoga conducts research on African wild dog conservation and community-based wildlife protection.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Columbia Climate School: Columbia's Climate School, launched in 2020, is a peer interdisciplinary climate-and-environment research and education school based at a major research university, overlapping directly with Nelson's Climate Research and Sustainability centers.
- Yale School of the Environment: Yale's flagship interdisciplinary environmental graduate school, offering MS and PhD programs that closely parallel Nelson's Environment and Resources graduate offerings. Both centers bridge natural sciences, social sciences, and policy, and compete for federal climate and sustainability funding.
- Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability: Stanford's sustainability school launched in 2022 with major philanthropic backing, combining climate, Earth, and environmental research at scale. It is a direct comparable to Nelson's interdisciplinary environmental research and graduate education model.
- University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability: Michigan SEAS is a public-university interdisciplinary environmental school offering similar graduate programs (MS/PhD) in environment and sustainability, with comparable center-based research structure and federal-grant funding focus.
- UC Berkeley Rausser College of Natural Resources: Berkeley's college combines ecology, environmental science, policy, and natural resources, comparable in scope to Nelson's four-center model and serving as a direct competitor for federal climate, ecology, and sustainability grants.
- MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS): MIT EAPS is a leading climate-and-Earth-science department at a major research university, overlapping with Nelson's Center for Climatic Research in climate modeling, extreme weather, and atmospheric science.
- University of Colorado Boulder Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and Environmental Studies: CU Boulder's environmental programs include interdisciplinary research centers in climate and ecology at a major public research university, directly comparable to Nelson's structure and federal-funding profile.
- Duke Nicholas School of the Environment: Duke's Nicholas School offers interdisciplinary environmental graduate programs spanning ecology, climate, energy, and environmental policy, directly paralleling Nelson's research-center model and competing for the same federal grants and students.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is a large, established environmental nonprofit operating across conservation, climate, and policy at global scale. It overlaps with Nelson's conservation and ecosystem work but as a broader portfolio of applied programs rather than an academic institute.
Emerging players
- Woodwell Climate Research Center: Woodwell is an independent, mission-driven climate research institute focusing on climate science, carbon, and land-use impacts. It is comparable to Nelson's Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment and Global Land Use and Environment Lab but operates outside the university model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison social profiles
Digital presenceNelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
What does Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison do?
The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison delivers interdisciplinary environmental education and research. It offers undergraduate majors and certificates, graduate MS and PhD programs in environment and resources, water resources management, environmental conservation, environmental observation and informatics, and energy analysis and policy. The institute operates four research centers (Climatic Research; Culture, History, and Environment; Sustainability and the Global Environment; Ecology and the Environment) and disseminates knowledge through publications (The Commons magazine, Nelson Issue Brief) and public events (Earth Fest, Sustainable Success Lecture Series).
Is Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison a public or private company?
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison founded?
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison was founded in 1970. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison based?
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison is headquartered in Madison, United States, in the North America region.
How does Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Higher Education Programs are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Sponsored Programs and donations and Endowments.
Who are Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Columbia Climate School, Yale School of the Environment, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, UC Berkeley Rausser College of Natural Resources, MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), University of Colorado Boulder Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and Environmental Studies and Duke Nicholas School of the Environment. The Nature Conservancy is listed as a broad incumbent. Woodwell Climate Research Center is listed as an emerging player.
Does Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What industry is Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison in?
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison's product category is Higher Education and Environmental Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAO, Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement, with a secondary code of BPADALAE, Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 8731.