Instituted in 2009, the Green Fund has awarded funding for 193 projects, totaling over $2.2 million allocated in sustainability across the SIU Carbondale campus community. Categories of projects have included food, energy efficiency, renewable energy, greening/grounds, transportation, waste, and outreach for sustainability efforts. Funded projects have ranged from events, to graduate and undergraduate research, to long-term investments in facilities on campus to ensure a sustainable future for the SIU campus.
Every current SIU student, faculty, staff, or campus unit is eligible to apply for a Green Fund project grant. Awards are currently being reviewed once a year by the Green Fund Committee, which is composed of one faculty member, one staff member, and the three student members of the Sustainability Council.
Do you have a sustainability project idea? Consider applying to the Green Fund! Information on previously funded Green Fund projects can be found on our Green Funded Projects page.
Above is a showcase of some of the funded projects. You can download the pdf version here.
Project Criteria
The Committee adheres to the following guidelines, set forth in the Sustainability Council's Operating Papers:
Enhance environmental and societal sustainability in one or more of the following areas: energy, water, waste, buildings, transportation, purchasing, grounds, food and dining, social equity, social practices, academics and research, and education and outreach.
Show proof of signed approval by relevant campus department(s) prior to receiving funding, and include plans for local, state, or federal permitting if applicable.
Include a plan for long-term maintenance and operations, as appropriate.
Preference will be given to projects that:
Have significant student involvement or leadership role(s).
Have education, outreach, and research components.
Are able to obtain matching funds. (Matching/additional funding refers to projects that have acquired other funds to support the project, in addition to what is being requested from the Green Fund.)
Clearly articulate the greatest benefit to the SIU community for the least cost.
Are collaborative in nature, involving multiple units and departments.
Support existing campus sustainability priorities.
Once applications are received, all Green Fund Committee members evaluate the applications using our approved rubric as a guide. The Committee then meets to discuss specific funding awards. Projects may be funded in full, partially, or not at all by the discretion of the Committee. See our FAQ page for more information on filling out the application, or contact us at greenfund@siu.edu.
Examples and a listing of projects that have been funded in the past can be found on our Green Funded Projects page.
Application & Important Dates
The proposal deadline for the 2020/2021 funding round is March 1, 2021.
Green Fund workshops are held in the spring and the fall and they are a great way to learn about the green fund proposal process. Currently, our workshops are being held virtually. Email sustainability@siu.edu for more information on how to join. The spring 2020 Green Fund workshops will take place as follows:
October 15 at 12 p.m. via zoom
October 28 at 12 p.m. via zoom
November 10 at 12 p.m. via zoom
The workshops overview the Green Fund process, offer advice for strong proposals, and provide the opportunity for feedback on individual ideas. They are highly recommended. To receive Green Fund proposal support from PSO or other facility managers outside of the workshops, see the "Requesting Facility Support or Approval" tab on the FAQ page.
Awardees will be announced in April, at our annual Sustainability Celebration. We do not know the details about our 2021 ceremony due to COVID. Details will be announced at a later date.
At least one representative from each awarded project must attend a mandatory workshop. More information can be found on our Green Fund Awardee Resources page.
In fall 2019, the Sustainability Council opened a pilot pre-screening period for Green Fund project proposals. The purpose of the fall semester pre-screening period was to provide an opportunity for idea development and dedicated feedback, especially for larger, more complex projects.
The pre-screening period was open to all students, faculty, and staff. In order to participate, applicants completed the first five sections of the Green Fund proposal form, and submitted it to greenfund@siu.edu by October 22, 2019. At that time, the Green Fund Committee reviewed proposals and planned an idea development workshop, which was scheduled for November 18, 2019. This workshop included campus stakeholders who provided specific feedback crucial to project success.
This process was optional and not a requirement to participate in the spring funding round. Those who participated in this special pre-screening period were still required to submit a full Green Fund proposal by the deadline in order to be eligible for Green Fund project funding in spring 2020.
The Sustainability Council is seeking feedback from participants as a part of their assessment of the value of this program and will determine whether or not it will be offered in future years.
Be in the Know with Climate Change Education in Higher Education.
A recent study by an SIU faculty and student has indicated that the overall knowledge on climate change among college students is low. As one of the Green Fund sponsored research projects, the authors have published their paper on "Assessing climate change education on a Midwestern college campus".
Their findings indicate that "science-focused majors had the most favorable attitudes for climate change acceptance and highest knowledge about climate related issues, while participants majoring in Engineering and Mass Communications had the lowest climate science knowledge".
Abstract Multiple disciplines address climate change; however, despite statements of consensus from professional societies, it is unclear whether the correct information is being conveyed to students. The purpose of this study was to survey student's (n = 264) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors behind climate science and climate change related principles. Overall, participant knowledge of climate change was low, yet attitudes favored sustainability and climate change acceptance (r = 0.452, p = 0.0001). Science-focused majors had the most favorable attitudes for climate change acceptance and highest knowledge about climate related issues, while participants majoring in Engineering and Mass Communications had the lowest climate science knowledge.
