Environmental and Social Sustainability Grants Program

The Office of Sustainability and the Institute of the Environment started a funding program to support student-faculty projects that enhance environmental sustainability and campus-wide engagement with sustainability issues at the University of Connecticut and in Connecticut communities through research, authentic community engagement, campus operations, or education. Projects must increase both environmental and social sustainability at UConn, and address one or more of UConn's strategic sustainability goal areas (climate change, energy and buildings, waste, outreach and engagement, water resources, food and dining, purchasing, transportation, or grounds, open space and conservation areas) and one or more related social challenges (fostering inclusion of diverse perspectives, addressing systematic inequalities, environmental justice, social and health inequity, community development, etc). Project activities occur at any of the UConn campuses and extend to Connecticut communities outside of the University campuses. Special consideration is given to interdisciplinary projects that advance equity and justice or incorporate the arts and humanities. Funded teams present their project findings and impacts at a symposium in the Fall following their Spring award.

Funding applications for Spring 2024 are now closed. Check back later for future funding opportunities and read about the Spring 2024 grantees below!

To learn more about the program and the application process, check out the dropdowns below!

(Dates below are for the Spring '24 Call for applications.)

Eligibility: All currently enrolled University of Connecticut undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Students must be full-time during the time period of the grant (Spring '24 through Fall '24). Applications can be submitted by an individual student or teams of students. Students can lead only one proposal each and can collaborate on up to three proposals (but can participate in no more than three proposals total).

Faculty/Staff Mentor Requirements: Each project must have at least one faculty or staff mentor who submits a support form with the application and will actively participate in the project. Mentors must be able to accept and manage grant funds on the students' behalf. This includes responsibility for any student hiring. The mentor is responsible for ensuring the project budget is executed according to UConn policies and procedures, adheres to the guidelines outlined in this application and is expended by the end of the grant period (December 31, 2024). Faculty/staff members can collaborate on no more than three student proposals each.

Funding: Limited funding is available for proposed projects with budgets up to $10,000. Proposals should provide strong justification for all budgetary items. Awards will be announced by April 1, 2024. Funds will transfer early April 2024 and should be fully spent by December 31, 2024.

Deadlines: For full consideration, all proposal documents must be submitted by March 1, 2024 at 4:00pm. Projects should not extend past December 31, 2024.

How to Apply:

Complete the Student Grant Application form (questions are previewed below).
Submit your itemized budget within the application form above.
Ask your staff/faculty member to submit a mentor support form

Questions about this call for proposals should be directed to Patrick McKee (patrick.mckee@uconn.edu).

Part I

Project title:
Name of Student Principal Investigator: This is the main point of contact for any grant-related activities, and must be a full-time UConn student during through Fall '24.
Student PI email & cell number
Name of Faculty or Staff Mentor: This must be a UConn employee that will provide guidance and financial oversight for the project. They must have the ability to accept and manage funds on your behalf. They will also be responsible for student hiring if applicable to your project. The mentor is responsible for ensuring the project budget is executed according to UConn policies and procedures, adheres to the guidelines outlined in this application and is expended by the end of the grant period (December 2024).
Mentor email & cell number

Part II

In these next questions, tell us about your idea - why is it an important activity to fund? What path will you take to accomplish it? What will the outcomes and final deliverables be? You may wish to use Word to copy/paste your answers to stay within character limits.

Context & Rational (1000 character limit)
Materials & Methods (1000 character limit)
Expected Outcomes & Deliverables (1000 character limit)
Who does your project impact and how are their needs known? Is anyone on your team part of your target community?(1500 character limit) - Note that this question might not be relevant to all projects but please do your best.
How does your project contribute specifically to sustainability outcomes? (1500 character limit) - Don't worry, we don't expect you to solve climate change! All scales of sustainability impact are considered.
Summary: (300 character limit) - Now that you've covered the details of your project, please give us a short summary - distill what you wrote into the essence of your project. Think about how you'd describe your project to a stranger if you only had a minute to talk to them. If you are awarded the grant, we may use this description in public announcements.
What other students, faculty, or staff are part of the project team? You are not required to have additional members, but please share if applicable. For each collaborator involved, share their NAME, EMAIL, and ROLE in conducting the project.
What is the timeline for your project's completion? MUST BE DONE BY DECEMBER 2024 (1500 character limit) - When do you expect to begin and accomplish major milestones of your project? Example: Apply for IRB Survey Study Approval - early April '24, Recruit participants - late May '24, Conduct Surveys - first week of June '24, etc.
Itemized Budget Request Upload. If funded, what would the money go toward? If this request is part of a larger project or you have already found partial funding, please include that in your budget. Appropriate expenses include student salary for completing the project (up to $3000 per student and $6000 maximum), materials and supplies, and travel. The salary of faculty or staff members cannot be included in requested funds. Here is a sample budget: https://uconn.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/sustainability2/EXSZYJr_PQVaudGYR17CXsQBHaYp92w-ejgE6TLNsWDKrQ?e=qreKWG
What amount of money are you requesting for this proposal? Must be less than or equal to $10,000.
Did your faculty or staff mentor agree to submit a support form? Ask your mentor to fill out the following: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=fqjxFyUqqk65351DkDSwgFVLOQJuPyFKgU1PO5GRcylURFY1OE00MTVLUDFRVzJCVkNDN0E0UU5KNy4u

Feeding UConn Stamford Students Sustainably

This project aims to address the high rates of food insecurity identified at the UConn Stamford campus by providing students with free access to essential vegetables and nutrients. A new flex farm will be installed and used to grow food for Husky Harvest in Stamford.

Students: Victoria Almazan ‘26 (SSW), Joanna Pirog ‘24 (SFA, BUS)
Faculty Mentors: Laura Bunyan, Associate Professor-in-Residence of Sociology, Rosa Rizzo, University Specialist in Stamford Campus Operations

Bringing the Buzz Back to UConn Community Garden

Our project looks to create an accessible beekeeping space for students and the greater Mansfield community at the previously managed UConn Community Gardens site. We aim to educate on pollinators, honey production, and mindfulness through the embodied experience of beekeeping.

Students: Trevor Donahue ‘25 (CLAS)
Faculty & Staff Mentors: Phoebe Godfrey, Professor-in-Residence of Sociology, Tina McCarthy, Director of Nursing at Student Health and Wellness (SHAW), Dr. Peter Davis Smith, Medical Director at SHAW, Jessica Larkin-Wells, Farm Manager, Spring Valley Student Farm

Soil Screening to Inform Environmental Justice and Promote Sustainable Urban Farming in Hartford

Soil testing at vacant lots, parks, urban gardens, and backyards in Hartford will identify lead pollution and help evaluate native soil suitability for farming, supporting residents and non-profit organizations and promoting environmental justice.

Students: Haley Clos, PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering, Gaylene Frere ‘26 (COE), Victoria Duffy ‘24 (CAHNR, CLAS)
Faculty Mentor: Marisa Chrysochoou, Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Spring Valley Student Farm Solar Tie In

This project will connect an existing solar PV array to the electrical grid to power aquaponics and greenhouse operations at Spring Valley Student Farm. The tie-in will also be able to power Oak Cottage, where some student farmers live.

Students: Andrew Carter ‘25 (BUS)
Staff Mentors: Jessica Larkin-Wells, Farm Manager, Spring Valley Student Farm, Brian McKeon, Electrical Engineer at Facilities Operations

Proof of Concept: Micro-Hydropower Generation at UConn Water Resource Recovery Facility – Chlorination Contact Weir

Micro-hydropower is an emerging market, and this project will provide an opportunity to research the cost-effectiveness and practical challenges to installing a generator at the water resource recovery facility outlet at UConn Storrs. Creating clean local power is an important facet to a sustainable and resilient future for students and facilities alike.

Students: Steven Matile, PhD Candidate in Structural Engineering, Lucy Li, PhD Candidate in Structural Engineering
Faculty & Staff Mentors: Wei Zhang, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Katie Milardo, Associate Director of Energy & Water Compliance in Facilities Operations.

Community Seed Library

Seeds nourish our bodies by giving us food and feed our souls by allowing us to connect with ourselves, nature, and one another. The UConn Seed Library will enhance the physical health of the community and give us an opportunity to gather, learn, and grow… together!

Students: Iris Armstrong ‘25 (CAHNR)
Faculty Mentors: Jill Desimini, Associate Professor and Program Director of Landscape Architecture

Fighting Food Insecurity with Individual Hydroponic Farming

Food insecurity exists for many UConn students. We are seeking to empower those affected and give them the tools (hydroponic systems, nutrition lessons, etc.) to grow their own food and combat the problem’s effect on their own lives.

Students: Lucy Ledesma ‘26 (BUS, COE), Audrey Larson ‘25 (COE), Lianne Duran ‘25 (CAHNR) Anthony Prior ‘26 (COE)
Faculty Mentors: Johnathan Moore, Executive Director, Digital Frontiers Initiative, Director of OPIM Innovate Labs

Swap Shop

The Swap Shop provides clothes a second life, through exchange, resale and repair services on the UConn Storrs campus. By offering affordable and sustainable clothing options, along with educational opportunities on clothing stewardship, the project directly benefits the university community and aligns with growing environmental concerns.

Students: Laura Braddick ‘24 (BUS), Madeline Kizer ‘24 (BUS)
Staff Mentor: Heather Parker, Academic Advisor, Department of History

These seven student-led projects were awarded funding for the 22/23 grant period:

Non-Violence Mindfulness Training for Environmental Justice and Mother Earth Day Festival

In the Spring, we’re offering non-violence embodiment training to students, held by students and national experts. It’ll culminate in a campus event around Mother Earth Day for the students and other groups to showcase art and connect to the UCONN community by teaching embodiment and non-violence.

Students: Juan Pablo Yepes Tobon, Laura Augenbraun ’24 (CLAS)
Faculty Mentors: Phoebe Godfrey, Professor-in-Residence of Sociology, Stacy Maddern – Assist. Professor-in-Residence of Urban and Community Studies

Renewed Outdoor Classroom and Chestnut Orchard

Locally and sustainably-sourced raw materials will be produced by students to create infrastructure for teaching, outreach, meeting, and artistic performance space that is ADA accessible. This project will also materially advance development of a planned American chestnut seed orchard.

Students: Isaac Betts ‘23 (CAHNR), Andrew Muller ’23 (CAHNR), Zachary Bates ‘23 (CAHNR)
Faculty Mentors: Thomas Worthley, Extension Educator Forest Sustainability, Robert Fahey, UConn Forest Director and Assoc. Professor

Huskies for Harkness

Huskies for Harkness is an initiative immersing New London high school students into conservation and sustainability, addressing the systemic barriers surrounding historically gatekept fields. It does this through a vocational enrichment trip to Harkness Memorial Park, focusing on education, engagement, and exploration.

Students: Jessica Bostick ‘23 (CAHNR), EcoHuskies
Faculty Mentor: Eleanor Shoreman-Ouimet, Assist. Professor of Anthropology

UConn Gleaning Corps

The SVSF Gleaning Interns will assist the WCFN to expand gleaning in Eastern CT. Gleaning is the practice of harvesting excess produce that doesn’t get sent to market, and is instead used to support people experiencing food insecurity. The student farmers will harvest, wash and deliver produce to various pantries in the Willimantic area. They’ll also develop a training guide to be used by volunteers to keep the program running in the future.

Students: Sydney Clements, Ph.D. Candidate in Geography
Staff Mentor: Jessica Larkin-Wells, Farm Manager, Spring Valley Student Farm

Reimagining a Community Garden

EcoGarden is reimagining our student club’s garden space. Educational signage, a new composting area, a variety of new perennial plants, and an outdoor picnic area are coming to EcoGarden. Community gardens are important as we move forward into the future of climate change and food deserts!

Students: Kristopher Dow ’24 (ENG, CLAS), EcoGarden Club
Staff Mentor: Jessica Larkin-Wells, Farm Manager, Spring Valley Student Farm

Ecoposium, UConn

Ecoposium, UConn is an organization that serves to plan and promote UConn's first student-led environmental symposium. We strive to spread awareness and educate the UConn community about relevant environmental issues through symposium sessions covering environmental topics elected by the organization.

Students: Claire Lee ’24 (CLAS), Ecoposium Club
Faculty Mentors: Dr. David Wagner, Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Scott Wallace, Assoc. Professor of Journalism

Material World: Design for a Healthful and Equitable Future

This project will create an interactive and sustainably-built pop-up exhibition educating students on the impacts of environmentally and socially sustainable design methods and materials aimed at empowering them to act as agents of change in their professional careers and personal lives.

Students: Cameron Slocum ’23 (SFA)
Faculty Mentors: Chris Sancomb, Assist. Professor of Industrial Design, Shareen Hertel, Professor of Political Science

These five student-led projects were the first cohort to be awarded funding:

Farm to Institution Local Food Procurement Study: Working to Highlight Sustainable Options for Students
- - Students: Matt Chen ‘22 (CLAS, CAHNR), Hannah Colonies-Kelley ‘22 (CAHNR)
  - Faculty Mentors: Cristina Connolly, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Spring Valley Student Farm Privy Project
- - Students: Phoebe Mrozinski ‘22 (CAHNR), Andrew Muller ‘23 (CAHNR), Isaac Betts ‘23 (CAHNR)
  - Staff and Faculty Mentors: Phoebe Godfrey, Associate Professor, Sociology. Jessica Larkin-Wells, Farm Manager, Spring Valley Student Farm

UConn Swap Shop
- - Students: Lyla Andrick '24 (CAHNR), Madeline Kizer ‘24 (SOB), Efua Koomson ‘22 (CLAS)
  - Staff Mentors: Megan Baro, Program Assistant for Inclusion & Global Initiatives, Honors Program. Katie Britt, Leadership Programs Coordinator, Werth Institute

Solar Photovoltaic Tie-in at Spring Valley Student Farm
- - Students: Rory Monaco ‘23 (CLAS), Zachary Stone ‘22 (SOE)
  - Staff and Faculty Mentors: Ali Bazzi, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering. Jessica Larkin-Wells, Farm Manager, Spring Valley Student Farm

Green Practice and Pedagogy: Enhancing UConn Avery Point’s Sustainability Performance and Programming
- - Students: UConn Avery Point EcoHusky Club, Sakshee Patel ‘24 (SOB), Kelsey DiCesare, Richard Krenitsky ‘22 (CLAS), Ian Bradley '22
  - Faculty Mentors: Syma Ebbin, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Eligibility: All currently enrolled University of Connecticut undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Students must be full-time during the time period of the grant. Applications can be submitted by an individual student or teams of students. Students can lead only one proposal each and can collaborate on up to three proposals (but can participate in no more than three proposals total).

Faculty/Staff Mentor Requirements: Each project must have at least one faculty or staff mentor who submits a support form with the application and will actively participate in the project. Mentors must be able to accept and manage grant funds on the students' behalf. This includes responsibility for any student hiring. The mentor is responsible for ensuring the project budget is executed according to UConn policies and procedures, adheres to the guidelines outlined in this application and is expended at least three weeks before the close of the fiscal year. Faculty/staff members can collaborate on no more than three student proposals each.

Funding: Limited funding is available for proposed projects with budgets up to $10,000. Proposals should provide strong justification for all budgetary items. Awards will be announced by December 2022. Funds will transfer early January 2023 and should be fully spent by June 30, 2023.

Deadlines: For full consideration, all proposal documents must be submitted by October 11 18, 2022 at 4:00pm Letters of support from faculty or staff members may be submitted through the google form application or via email to sustainability@uconn.edu. Projects should not extend past the start of Fall '23.

How to Apply: There is a google form application which asks for contact information and a few short essay questions. You are also required to submit a project budget and faculty mentor support form. Download each form, complete, and then you can upload them into the google form application.

Application Questions

Part I

Project title:
Name of Student Principal Investigator: This is the main point of contact for any grant-related activities, and must be a UConn student during the time period of the grant.
Student PI email & cell number
Name of Faculty or Staff Mentor: This must be a UConn employee that will provide guidance and financial oversight for the project. They must have the ability to accept and manage funds on your behalf. They will also be responsible for student hiring if applicable to your project. The mentor is responsible for ensuring the project budget is executed according to UConn policies and procedures, adheres to the guidelines outlined in this application and is expended at least three weeks before the close of the fiscal year.
Mentor email & cell number

Part II

Context & Rational (1000 character limit)
Materials & Methods (1000 character limit)
Expected Outcomes & Deliverables (1000 character limit)
Who does your project impact and how are their needs known? Is anyone on your team part of your target community?(1500 character limit)
How does your project contribute specifically to sustainability outcomes? (1500 character limit) - Don't worry, we don't expect you to solve climate change! All scales of sustainability impact are considered.
Summary: (300 character limit) - Now that you've covered the details of your project, please give us a short summary - distill what you wrote into the essence of your project. Think about how you'd describe your project to a stranger if you only had a minute to talk to them. If you are awarded the grant, we may use this description in public announcements.
What other students, faculty, or staff are part of the project team? You are not required to have additional members, but please share if applicable. For each collaborator involved, share their NAME, EMAIL, and ROLE in conducting the project.
What is the timeline for your project's completion? (1500 character limit) Must be finished before the start of Fall semester '23. When do you expect to begin and accomplish major milestones of your project? Example: Apply for IRB Survey Study Approval - early February '23, Recruit participants - late February '23, Conduct Surveys - first week of March '23, etc.
Itemized Budget Request Upload. If funded, what would the money go toward? If this request is part of a larger project or you have already found partial funding, please include that in your budget. Appropriate expenses include student salary for completing the project (up to $3000 per student and $6000 maximum), materials and supplies, and travel. The salary of faculty or staff members cannot be included in requested funds. Here is a sample budget: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EQb6VuGzPMgE2M2gbS1C-dXDbNXrLr6O/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102659157238664148208&rtpof=true&sd=true
Faculty or Staff Support Letter(s) (can be submitted together or separately from the application): Please share the following Word document with your mentor to fill out and sign (~ 1 page). Please upload it, otherwise ask your mentor to email it to sustainability@uconn.edu. Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_-N_KdvWCE_AURc9s0clOniWrFjE4Kxj/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102659157238664148208&rtpof=true&sd=true

Background: The Office of Sustainability joined the Institute of the Environment when the Institute was formed in 2019. The mission of the Institute of the Environment is to catalyze environmental scholarship, education, and engagement across all facets of the University to address some of the most challenging issues facing society today. The Institute of the Environment comprises four administrative units (the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, Natural Resources Conservation Academy, and the Office of Sustainability). Within the Institute, the Office of Sustainability works with senior administrators, students, faculty and staff to set and achieve strategic sustainability goals in the areas of climate action and resilience, energy and buildings, waste reduction and diversion, water resources, food and dining, grounds, purchasing, transportation, open space and natural resource stewardship. The Office develops outreach and engagement programs that feature experiential learning to raise awareness and improve performance around sustainable practices and behaviors.

Questions about this call for proposals should be directed to sustainability@uconn.edu or Betsy Mortensen (betsy.mortensen@uconn.edu).