UVM Focus the Nation
Student Sustainability Contest:
A Focus on Carbon and Climate Change

Generously Sponsored by

Purpose

In order to encourage and support creative solutions to create positive change in our community, the UVM Focus the Nation’s steering committee has established a student sustainability contest. The goal of this contest is to inspire forward-thinking, systemic solutions in the areas of design, economy, media, governance, education, and/or human behavior, with carbon reduction as a key theme.

This contest is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. This contest will provide financial support to allow for a good idea to be turned into action. We hope to encourage non-traditional partnerships in working toward a greener UVM and Burlington, with the potential for replicating this work in other locales.

The winner(s) of this contest will have access to $2500 for materials and services needed for implementing their project.

Contest Guidelines

Funding is intended for projects that provide a general benefit to the UVM and/or Burlington community and the proposals should demonstrate this. Projects should include a strong communication/ public education aspect, also reflected in the proposal.

Projects with multiple partners are required, with a minimum of three departments playing a role. At least one partner for each project must be a UVM faculty or staff member. For undergraduate students applying for a grant, it is necessary to obtain a faculty/staff sponsor who is willing to act as a resource person for the project. Proposed partnerships must be demonstrated with attached letters of support.

Recipients will be expected to present a report of their progress to the Environmental Council at a Environmental Council monthly meeting. 

This contest will not fund requests for: class supplies; departmental operating expenses; or speakers unless they contribute to a larger project's success.

Timeline

Proposal Deadline:  Thursday, March 20, 2008, emailed to: christina.erickson@uvm.edu

Winners Announced: During Earth Week Activities (approx. April 22, 2008)

Project Progress Presentation: Fall 2008

Project Completion Deadline: December 15, 2008

Proposal Format

Grant proposals must be 2 pages or less and answer the following questions:

1. What is the project? Explain in detail what the project entails.

2. How does the project support the goal of this contest? (To inspire forward-thinking, systemic solutions in the areas of design, economy, media, governance, education, and/or human behavior, with carbon reduction as a key theme.)

3. What benefit does this have to the UVM/Burlington community? 

4. How might this project be replicable in other locales?

5. What will the money be used for? Provide a breakdown of the budget and justification.

6. How will you communicate the results of your project to the campus community?

The proposal must be accompanied by the cover sheet, available here in Word format.

For More Information

For more information about this contest, contact the Contest Committee at christina.erickson@uvm.edu with “FtN Contest” in the subject field.

UVM Focus the Nation www.uvm.edu/climatechange

Focus the Nation www.focusthenation.org