Let us fund your green ideas!
The basic info:
· Grants available to students, faculty, and staff
· $250 to $2,500 grants
· Application deadline March 14
· Apply here: http://www.middlebury.edu/sustainability/tools/forms/ECG_app
· Contact Clare Crosby (ccrosby@middlebury.edu) with questions
Environmental Council Grants Guidelines
Who is eligible for Environmental Council (EC) grants?
Any student, faculty or staff member of the Middlebury College main campus and staff and faculty of Middlebury Schools Abroad.
What do we fund?
EC grants are awarded for creative, innovative projects that
- advance the College’s sustainability leadership in any of the following areas:
- energy efficiency or conservation
- renewable energy sources
- conservation of other resources such as water
- transportation alternatives (to move away from single occupancy vehicle travel)
- sustainable agriculture and local food procurement
- development and adoption of sustainability policies for the college
- engagement and outreach to the college community
- transform an existing sustainability related project, program or initiative to a higher level of impact and effectiveness
- bring a sustainability related focus to new or revised co-curricular or extra curricular programs
Are EC grants only for on-campus projects?
- EC grants can be awarded for off-campus projects provided that
- the project has a clear sustainability component
- applicants can show how the project will have a tangible benefit at the Middlebury College campus
- participants agree to present their experience once they return to campus in some way (for example as part of the ES colloquium series or an article in The Campus)
- Grants for student travel (including transportation, lodging, and food) are for a maximum of $500 per student
- The applicant must provide evidence that he or she has investigated and applied for other available travel funding. Visit the Center for Education in Action’s website for a list of funding sources.
Can EC grants be used for academic projects?
- EC grants do not fund academic research or coursework. Possible funding sources for academic projects include Academic Outreach Engagement Grants and departmental funds.
- EC grants do, however, fund implementation of ideas developed through coursework or academic research provided that the implementation phase of the project is beyond the academic requirements of the course or independent study and that the project supports the mission of advancing sustainability on campus.
- Example: the idea of putting TerraCycle bins on campus came out of the MiddCORE class, but actual implementation of the plan was not part of the coursework and is eligible for funding through and Environmental Council Grant.
What do we not fund?
EC grants are not granted
- if proposals are incomplete. All components of the online application form—including evidence of support (in the form of a letter of support) from any partnering individual, department, or outside organizations—are essential for a grant application to be considered.
- for food to be served at planning meetings. Grants may, however, fund food for public events.
How often does the EC request grant proposals?
Initial requests for proposals are made in mid to late September. A second round of requests is usually made around mid-January and, depending on availability of funding, a third request may be made in mid February.
When do projects need to be completed?
In most cases, projects must be completed by commencement in the academic year during which a grant was given. However, the EC does fund projects that carry over into the next academic year if there is a compelling reason to do so.
