CIGRE has officially launched the CIGRE Innovation and Education Fund, a nonprofit endowment designed to advance technical knowledge and support the global energy transition. Announced by CIGRE President Konstantin Papailiou, the fund will focus on providing grants for research, educational initiatives, and humanitarian efforts within the field of electrical power systems.
The fund, seeded with $1.7 M (€1.5 M) from CIGRE’s reserves, will offer annual grants to CIGRE groups such as National Committees, Technical Councils, and Study Committees. These grants will support a range of projects, including R&D in power systems, graduate scholarships, membership initiatives, and humanitarian projects aimed at providing sustainable electricity to underserved communities.
The CIGRE Fund’s Board of Directors (BOD) includes Konstantin Papailiou (Chair), Rannveig Loken (Technical Council Chair), and Michael Heyeck (VP Finance & Treasurer). The Executive Committee is led by Michael Heyeck as President, with Pranvera Dobruna Kryeziu (VP) and Mohamed Rashwan (Treasurer) among the key appointments. The Investment Committee, tasked with overseeing the fund’s financial activities, includes Rudolf Meier (President) and Jianbin Fan (China).
“We are committed to supporting the global transition to clean, sustainable energy,” said Papailiou. “The CIGRE Fund will help fund projects that not only enhance technological innovation but also empower future generations through education and research.”
In addition to grants, the CIGRE Fund will also offer increased annual funding for National Committees, with a notable rise from $58,000 to $175,000 (€50,000 to €150,000) per year. The fund’s governance includes a Board of Directors (BOD) and several key committees overseeing grant allocations, with a focus on maintaining independence and ensuring geographic diversity in grant distribution.
The fund will not participate in commercial or political projects but will be driven by CIGRE’s mission to support long-term innovation and education in the power systems sector. The first calls for grant applications will be announced soon, with a goal of making a tangible impact on global energy systems.
Source: CIGRE
