Examples include upgrading lighting, adding bike racks, installing new equipment or permanent signage, redesigning landscaping or conducting building retrofits. Project tracks are not exclusive. Academic and co-curricular elements can be incorporated into an Infrastructure Track proposal. Research may also be included but should not be the primary outcome of the project.
All Infrastructure proposals undergo an additional review by the SCF Infrastructure Committee and proposals with Campus Plan implications require additional review by the Campus Planning Committee and relevant Advisory Groups. These reviews ensure the relevant campus departments and stakeholders have been consulted about the project's feasibility and are in support of the project.
Timeline
Proposals are accepted each fall and spring (deadline 3/7/2025). Proposals that meet the criteria listed in the application are invited to present to SRIAC at a public forum open to the University community. SRIAC makes funding recommendations to the Vice President for Finance and Administration who makes the final funding decisions. Awards are announced at the end of each semester.
The Sustainable Funds Coordinator, Caylin McCamp, provides support in proposal development for this track. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out early on for support in their proposal development and submission.
Funding Criteria
The Socially Responsible Investing Advisory Council (SRIAC) is a group with representation from across the University that evaluates proposals for funding. The SRIAC evaluates proposals based on the following criteria:
Alignment
Proposal demonstrates strong connections to the Sustainable Campus Fund vision of enhancing a culture of sustainability, innovation and research on campus and mission of addressing sustainability challenges that reduce the University’s impact on climate by addressing social equity, ecological health, and economic viability.
Impact
Proposal clearly demonstrates the potential for high impact on members of the university community. This can be defined in several ways including student involvement in implementation or as experiential learners in the project. Proposals that demonstrate a clear impact on members of the university community (students in particular) in addition to demonstrating the potential for impact beyond ¶¶Òõ̽̽, are especially compelling.
Proposal
Proposal is well written with all parts clearly explained. Proposal shows creativity and originality. The proposal demonstrates a plan for completing the proposed project. Clear evidence of significance and contribution to the field is provided.
Budget
Budget is clearly explained and is appropriate for the activities proposed. Cost estimates are realistic and justified. Funding eligibility requirements are met.
Timeline and Feasibility
The timeline is feasible, manageable and appropriate for the proposed project, demonstrating clear understanding of the time frame for proposed activities. Achievable project goals and milestones are outlined. If necessary, protocols/approval/trainings have been secured or in the process of being secured.
Student Engagement/Support
Project gives substantial and lasting leadership, skill building, and volunteer opportunities to student(s) involved in the project or there is strong and demonstrated support from the student body.
Funding Eligibility
Proposals requesting funding for over $120,000 will be subject to additional scrutiny because this amount represents over 50% of the annual SCF balance.
The SCF is not to be used for professional development for individuals, course work at other institutions, or food or drink for meetings. Neither is the SCF intended to fund faculty research. Specific, highly relevant faculty research proposals may be considered if the connection to the campus is explicit.
Students, faculty and staff are all welcome to apply. Student proposals require a faculty or staff sponsor as students cannot be direct recipients of SCF awards. Student wages are an eligible use of funds. The proposal budget must include the appropriate fringe/benefit rate if wages are included.
Funds are not intended to subsidize University unit budgets. Ideal proposals will be independent of University operating budgets and support projects and initiatives that would not otherwise find funding sources.
Multiphase projects (for example, moving from feasibility study to project implementation) will be considered but perpetual funding is not available.
Project funds do not expire after a set period but inactive projects or projects with a remaining budget after completion will be closed in consultation with the proposer(s). Overspending of a project budget is the responsibility of the proposer or staff/faculty sponsor if the proposer is a student.