Apply for the UMD Sustainability Fund Grant

Sustainability Fund Grants ($2,000 - $330,000 per award)
The University Sustainability Fund provides funding for projects that:

• improve the environmental performance of campus operations by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing energy and/or water use, enhancing stormwater management, increasing biodiversity, minimizing waste, etc.:
• improve or create opportunities for UMD students to learn about and develop skills for sustainability; and/or
• involve research that would create substantial opportunities for student involvement and the outcomes of the research have practical implications for improving the environmental performance of campus operations.

The Fund is supported by undergraduate student fees and administered through a student-majority committee of the University Sustainability Council. More than 156 projects have received more than $3.2 million in Sustainability Fund grants since 2011.

Approximately $330,000 is available each fiscal year.
Next proposal deadline is October 15, 2021
Click here to apply

Mini-Grants ($1 - $2,000 per award)
Sustainability Mini Grants are intended to provide small grants (up to $2,000) to encourage the development or maintenance of projects or programs that improve the sustainability of the UMD campus and/or enhance opportunities for students to learn about sustainability issues. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to apply. The SGA Sustainability Committee will review applications as they are received and applicants will receive a funding decision within 30 days of submitting a complete application. A total of $10,000 is available each semester. Projects requesting more than $2,000 must apply through the University Sustainability Fund.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from September 1 to April 30 each year.
Click here to apply

Watch our Big Ten Network video and read about the grant recipients to learn more about the type of projects that have received funding in the past.

Who Can Apply for Funds?
Students, faculty, and staff of the University of Maryland community can apply for funds to support projects that will advance the sustainability of the College Park campus. Students who apply for funds can do so on behalf of a student organization or to fund their own projects, however, a student applicant must have a faculty or staff advisor for his/her project. Follow the guidelines on this website to submit your application.

Project Criteria
Available on the project application.

 
Process
Project applications are reviewed by the Sustainability Fund Review Committee of the University of Maryland Sustainability Council. The Committee submits its recommendations to the full Sustainability Council, which decides which projects to fund.

It is highly recommended you contact the Office of Sustainability in advance of the proposal deadline to talk through your proposal before you submit it. Projects cannot be funded if they are not supported by essential stakeholders. For instance, you cannot propose to construct a green roof unless you have approval from the facilities group (Facilities Management, Residential Facilities, etc.) that manages that building.