Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF)

Michigan Automotive, Grid, and Energy Transition Initiative (MAGNET)

The Michigan Automotive, Grid, and Energy Transition Initiative (MAGNET) is a cross-campus initiative that advances the University of Michigan's public mission by addressing one of the most consequential challenges facing Michigan and society: the clean energy transition across electricity and transportation systems, with particular attention to how the state's automotive ecosystem can be mobilized during this transition. MAGNET studies this transition drawing on Michigan's unique strengths in the automotive and energy sectors.

MAGNET is a family of complementary indices that together provide a full picture of where the state stands in its clean mobility and energy transition, the challenges it faces, and the most valuable strategies going forward — transforming complicated and fast-changing real-world challenges into interpretable measures for policymakers and industry decision-makers. Centered on this index, the initiative will develop interdisciplinary research, advance teaching and research training, and sustain engagement with the automotive industry, utilities, and policymakers across the state.

MAGNET will produce survey and data analytics infrastructure, peer-reviewed research published in high-impact journals, extensive educational content integrated into undergraduate and graduate curricula, and a flagship "MAGNET Report" white paper. The initiative aims to develop public indicators that track progress and identify key challenges, produce research-based insights to inform decision-making by industry, policymakers, and communities, and increase the visibility of the University of Michigan in discussions of Michigan's energy transition.