The endowment helps the chair holder promote the mission to develop and commercialize energy-efficient technologies, teach future leaders in energy efficiency, and conduct critical policy-supporting research.

The newly launched Maria Manetti Shrem Institute for Sustainable Design, Fashion and Textiles will serve as a first-of-its-kind hub dedicated to innovation, collaboration and global impact. The institute, housed in the Department of Design, will advance wearable and smart textile technologies and promote sustainability across multiple facets of design.