Instituted in 2009, the Green Fund has awarded funding for 340 projects, totaling over $3.6 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 hard proposal deadline for the 2025/2026 funding round is April 1, 2025.
