The work of Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies is primarily carried out in the form of projects. These may be the result of internal development, collaborative development, or definition, commissioning, and funding by an entity other than Canyon Institute.

Canyon Institute projects fall generally into two categories:

• Work which is a direct expression of the mission and objectives of Canyon Institute.
  
  
• Work which is complementary to the mission and objectives of Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies and represents good stewardship of the resources available within Canyon Institute at any given time.

The Public Lecture Series was conceived initially as an internal project of Canyon Institute, but was fully realized in 2001 with the aid of a 3-year matching grant from the Local Society Initiative of the Metanexus Institute, whose purpose is the initiation and furthering of discourse relating to the constructive engagement of science and religion.

Commissioned externally-funded programs are also an important part of the work and service objectives of Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies. These are special projects whose outcome is defined by a sponsor, whose objectives are compatible with those of Canyon Institute, and for which resources are required beyond those normally available from within Canyon Institute. Charter projects may be solicited or accepted from foundations, agencies, and individuals that have a particular interest in sponsoring specific projects through Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies.

The Ultimate Reality Bibliography project found on our site is an example of a commissioned project, defined in collaboration with and funded by a sponsor.

Some examples of future projects of Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies are described in the Future Directions section.