The Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (MW CASC) has completed a technical assessment of our interim Science Agenda, which determines research funding and partnership goals. This technical assessment – a three stage process led by former University of Minnesota postdoc Sarah Skikne – was designed to finalize the Science Agenda.

The interim Science Agenda is structured around five management challenges (Heavy precipitation events and drought; Loss of winter; Altered hydrological regimes; Novel terrestrial landscapes; and Barriers to and opportunities for adaptation). For each management challenge, there are approximately 10 science priorities. In the technical assessment process, we gathered input from scholars and practitioners pursuing research to help ensure these priorities are informed by current scientific understanding, technical complexity, and opportunity for impact, and that they capture the full range of relevant issues and are attentive to emerging concerns. A summary of their input can be read here and a full report on that stage of the technical assessment process can be read here. 

Once finalized, the MW CASC Science Agenda will guide our work through 2026.

Read the full Technical Assessment of the Interim Science Agenda here.