October 07, 2011
Green Fund committee accepting grant proposals
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- If you are interested in helping Southern Illinois University Carbondale become more “green” and sustainable, here’s your opportunity.
The Sustainability Council’s Green Fund Committee is accepting applications now for fall semester grant funding. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 14, and any University student, faculty, staff, registered student organization, department or office can seek project grants.
The initiative funds projects that enhance campus sustainability and reduce the University’s impact on the environment and society while including educational, outreach and research components. The money comes from a $10 per semester student fee implemented in fall 2009 as the result of a student-led initiative.
The fund currently has a balance of about $110,000. Since the program began, about $546,000 has gone toward 47 different projects. The wide variety of projects securing funding thus far includes converting cooking oil to fuel and cattle feed, restoration work in Thompson Woods, recycling programs, growing vegetables for campus dining halls, educational events and much more.
Preference goes toward projects that have significant student involvement or leadership, are collaborative and proposals that can obtain matching funding, as well as projects that potentially have the biggest benefit for the University community at the lowest cost.
You can find the grant applications and complete guidelines online at www.sustainability.siu.edu/greenfund. For more information, you can also email greenfund@siu.edu.