CEF Request for Proposals

For a PDF version of the CEF RFP, click here or read below.

Request for Campus Renewable Energy Project Proposals for 2009-2010

The University of Vermont Clean Energy Fund (CEF) Committee requests proposals for projects that promote the development and implementation of cost-effective renewable energy resources on the university campus. Members of the University of Vermont community (students, staff, and faculty) are invited to submit proposals for campus renewable energy projects. All projects must take place on the University of Vermont campus, with the exception of projects that involve the purchase of renewable energy from off-campus locations.

The CEF will consider projects in two categories. Projects in the Research, Demonstration, and Development category will directly involve the energy-related operations of the university through addressing clean energy consumption, production, or both. Examples of research, demonstration, and development projects include upgrading existing wind turbine or solar photovoltaic power monitoring systems, or installing and using renewable energy technologies in campus buildings. Projects in the Education category will focus on educational programs, content, and/or processes at the university. Examples of education projects include development of clean energy-related courses or seminars at UVM.

Proposal submissions should be made via the Clean Energy Fund Application Portal at: http://uvmsustainability.wufoo.com/forms/uvm-clean-energy-fund-application-portal/. Please refer to the application guidelines for additional information. A general Q&A information session for applicants will be held on November 2^nd.

Key Dates
RFP issued September 30, 2009
Application deadline November 15, 2009
CEF Committee reviews proposals in November and December of 2009
Expected CEF Grant awards announced mid-January, 2010

Eligibility
Any student, faculty, staff, department, and registered student organization may apply for CEF funding. Community members and businesses working in coordination with a university affiliate may also apply. If you have any questions about whether a project meets the CEF guidelines, please contact Mieko A. Ozeki at sustain@uvm.edu.

Grant Background and Scope
The Clean Energy Fund was created in response to students’ vision of the University of Vermont running efficiently on a fraction of its current energy needs, powered by clean, locally produced renewable energy that fulfills both the University’s needs and supports the local economy. The mission of the CEF is to promote new clean energy projects on the UVM campus and beyond. The source of the CEF is a student fee (part of the comprehensive fee that UVM collects each semester from full-time undergraduate and graduate students) dedicated to clean energy projects. The original proposal for the CEF can be found on the Office of Sustainability website.

Funding will be awarded once each academic year. Applicants are encouraged to seek match funding and preference may be given to projects requesting lower funding amounts than comparable projects.

Application and Review Process
The Clean Energy Fund Committee will review all proposals received based on completeness and quality of the proposal, how well the project meets the goals of the CEF, reasonableness of cost, potential impact of the work, creativity of the proposal, and any other criteria deemed relevant. The CEF Committee will recommend projects to the UVM Vice President of Finance & Administration, who will make the final decision about the use of the fund. The funding process is competitive and applicants should indicate why their project is most deserving of funding.

A complete application should be prepared according to the CEF application guidelines. Information on external sources of matching funds should be included in the budget section. The complete proposal package must be sent electronically as a PDF file to Mieko A. Ozeki (sustain@uvm.edu) by the November 15th deadline.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Applicant’s knowledge and experience in the relevant project area – is there a faculty or staff member with appropriate expertise associated with the project?
Academic and educational goals of the proposed project – will the project be part of a thesis or dissertation research, a course, independent study, or other academic activity?
Expected results and deliverables – will the project result in significant energy and cost savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions, publications, or visible demonstration of renewable energy resources on campus?
Impact of project on campus community and UVM energy footprint – does the project offer environmental, economic, or social benefits?
Potential for partnership beyond UVM – does the project include partnerships with one or more Vermont businesses or organizations?
Proposed budget and funds required – are matching or additional funds available (if so, from what sources), and does the project involve maintenance needs, future decommissioning plans, or replacement costs?

For More Information

Mieko A. Ozeki, Sustainability Projects Coordinator

Email: sustain@uvm.edu Phone: (802) 656-0906

Stephen Posner, Energy Education Fellow

Email: sposner@uvm.edu Phone: (802) 656-0895