Applications open for sustainability fellows program, Carbon Fund grants

The Office of Sustainability is accepting applications for its fellows program and for Carbon Fund grant applications. Applications for both programs are due Nov. 4. 

The UC Santa Cruz Campus Sustainability Plan (CSP) Fellows program serves as a student employment funding mechanism to support departments in their implementation of projects and programs that forward the goals, strategies, and actions identified in the 2017–22 Campus Sustainability Plan. Learn more online.

The CSP Fellows program provides award funding for departments to hire an undergraduate student. Fellowship awards are for up to 10 hours/week at minimum wage for late fall through spring quarters, plus $500 for project implementation. Unit projects will be funded based on how well they align with the implementation of specific Campus Sustainability Plan actions. If funded, responsibility for recruitment, hiring and supervision of the Fellow rests on the unit hosting the project. Quarterly training opportunities will be offered for supervisors and mentors from all units by the Sustainability Office.

Timeline - Fall 2019 Funding Cycle

  • Wednesday, October 9: Fellows program announced & applications become available
  • Wednesday, October 9: Carbon Fund Grant Applications open
  • Wednesday, October 23: CSP Fellows Information session in PPC Room 151H Large Conference Room from 9:30 - 10:45am
  • Monday, November 4 at noon: Applications due (no extensions)
  • Monday, November 4: Carbon Fund Applications close
  • Week of November 4: Fellow awards decisions announced
  • Week of November 18: Carbon Fund Micro Awards decisions announced

Carbon Fund - Student Fee Measure 44 grants

The Carbon Fund is a student-fee funded measure that awards about $100,000 annually to projects that help to reduce our campus carbon footprint. Projects in the past have included lab equipment upgrades, paper towel removals, emission free transportation, and many more. Our voting committee, consisting of all levels of campus life, reviews applications based on how well they fit the five key criteria, primarily weighted toward the project’s feasibility and longevity, and the reductions in CO2 and resource use. Detailed criteria are listed on the application.

More information is available online.