UD community invited to apply for environmental project grants

11:48 a.m., Nov. 2, 2011--The University of Delaware Sustainability Task Force invites the UD community to submit grant applications for projects that address sustainability issues.

The task force will be awarding $9,500 in grants to selected projects, with preference given to projects that are consistent with the goals of the University Climate Action Plan and the mission of the task force.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

Faculty and staff created the University of Delaware Sustainability Fund (UDSF) to stimulate innovative opportunities to develop a more sustainable campus.

“The goal is to fund solid, well-thought-out projects that make the University community more sustainable,” said Jenny McDermott, chair of the UDSF working group. “Collaboration is strongly encouraged, and we like to see projects initiated by students.”

Students, faculty, staff and alumni may apply, although alumni must partner with a current student or faculty member. Ideal projects involve collaboration across groups, have an educational impact on the applicant or the UD community and create a positive impact outside UD. Projects should also be completed within a one-year timeline. 

According to McDermott, many past projects have shown groundbreaking results. For example, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources received a sustainability grant in 2009 to convert a poorly producing pasture into wetlands on the Newark farm, resulting in better habitat and reducing flooding downstream. The fund also made possible the first “green roof” on campus on Colburn Lab.

“The University is a great place for these types of projects,” McDermott said. “There’s a commitment by the president, and there’s a strong interest on the part of faculty, staff and students to work toward a more sustainable campus in all kinds of innovative and inspiring ways.”

Applicants should submit applications electronically no later than Nov. 23 and will be notified of funding decisions before Dec. 23.

Any groups that have a well-developed idea and would like to further discuss the project should contact McDermott or Sustainability Task Force co-chairs Kathleen Kerr or John Madsen at ud-sustainability@udel.edu. 

To download a grant application, learn more about previous projects, get ideas from example projects or make a donation to the fund, visit the UDSF webpage. 

Article by Brittany Barkes