The Wisconsin Energy Institute is buzzing with about 400 scientists, graduate students and staff. It boasts the University of Wisconsin System's largest grant, $265 million over a decade. But, its sunsets next year, and the Energy Institute is at a pivotal point, both in leadership and funding. The institute submitted its proposal Sept. 30 to renew a massive federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, at a time when the state has withdrawn its funding.

Nuclear engineer Michael Corradini, who founded the Wisconsin Energy Institute a decade ago, recently retired. He said the original blueprint for the building called for a building twice its size. One side is designed to come off for expansion.