Vision

The Clean Energy Fund was created in 2008 by students with a vision of enhancing a culture of sustainability, innovation, and research on campus through a self-imposed $10 per semester fee for all students, generating about $230,000 annually.

In 2020 the scope of the Fund was broadened to include all three pillars of sustainability (social equity, ecological health and economic viability) and was renamed the Sustainable Campus Fund (SCF). 

The priority of the fund is to support campus sustainability projects that reduce the University's impact on climate and the environment by preparing for and making the necessary changes at UVM to address the climate crisis.

Applying for Funding

Funds can be used for sustainability topics including renewable energy, energy and water efficiency, transportation, recycling and waste reduction, purchasing practices, food, agriculture, environmental justice and more. There are two separate application tracks depending on project type. Contact us for help determining which track is most appropriate for your idea. 

Innovative Research Track

The SCF allocates funds to the Graduate College and the Office of Fellowships, Opportunities & Undergraduate Research (FOUR) which manage research project proposals and awards through a separate process. Each announces their call for proposals in the early spring and makes funding decisions in late spring. Research projects do not have to be specific to campus but must address sustainability. (view past awards)

Applicants seeking funding for research should visit the appropriate website to learn more and apply:

Graduate Students

Undergraduate Students

Academic & Co-Curricular Education and Infrastructure Projects Track

Applicants for all other project types should use the application below. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year and the Socially Responsible Investing Advisory Council (SRIAC) evaluates proposals for funding.

Infrastructure Projects are projects that include a physical change to campus, for example: upgrading lighting, adding bike racks, installing signage, redesigning landscaping or a feasibility study. Projects that include a physical change to campus undergo an additional review by the Infrastructure Committee to ensure the relevant campus departments have been consulted about the project's feasibility and are in support of the project. (view past awards)

Academic & Co-Curricular Education projects focus on education and outreach, for example: events, pilot projects, internships or communication initiatives. (view past awards)

These categories are not exclusive, some of the strongest proposals include elements of both infrastructural and educational elements. Projects in this track may include a research component but research should not be the primary outcome of the project.

The Sustainable Funds Coordinator provides support for proposers in this track. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out early on for support in their proposal development and submission. 

SCF Application

Public Comment on SCF Proposals

History

See the results of the Clean Energy Storytelling & Data Collection project which documents notable projects from 2010-2018, a time when the SCF was called the Clean Energy Fund.