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Student Sustainability Fund

(The deadline for this semester has passed, but there will be another opportunity to apply this fall 2024.)

The Boise State Student Sustainability Fund (SSF) is a new internal grant program developed to support student-initiated sustainability projects.  All current Boise State students are welcome to apply for a grant.  The SSF allows students to participate in the creation of a more sustainable campus while providing valuable experience in grant writing and project implementation.  An annual $7500 allocation from Chartwells, our food service provider, supports the Student Sustainability Fund.

How to submit a Student Sustainability Fund Grant Proposal

Students can submit short grant proposals for sustainability-related project ideas. These proposals are evaluated by a committee consisting of students, faculty, and staff (“Committee”) and representatives from Campus Services. The Committee decides which proposals get funded.

Are you a Boise State student interested in applying for a SSF grant?

Please follow these steps:

  • Email the Office of Sustainability with your project idea.  Tell us about your idea.  We will match you with a faculty or staff advisor to help solidify your idea and to help you complete the grant proposal.  This step must be completed at least 2 weeks before the grant proposal deadline.
  • The committee meets to decide which proposals get funded.

Final application deadline: February 23rd, 2024

Eligibility

All projects must originate from the student body or have the backing of a student, class, or club to be considered for funding. Should there be times when no feasible student proposals exist or do not reserve all available funding, then proposals from faculty, administrators, Facilities Services, or other University entities will receive consideration. If no viable proposals are received in a single semester, the funding will accrue and increase the amount available for the following term. 

Project Categories

The project must fit into one of the following categories:

  1. Energy Savings:  Project will reduce energy use on campus.
  2. Resource Conservation: Project will reduce consumption, including but not limited to water, purchased materials, or will reduce the amount of trash sent to the landfill.  
  3. Resiliency:  Project will make Boise State more resilient to the effects of climate change, including but not limited to extreme weather.
  4. Behavior Change:  Project will promote a specific sustainable behavior or use education, information or communications to positively impact campus sustainability.
  5. Grant Matching for Required Local funds: To fulfill the requirement for matching awarded Grants external to Boise State.  (Public grants, non-profit, federal or state government).   

 

Additional Information

Award Amounts

There is no minimum amount for funding projects. The maximum amount is $5000.  

Number of projects funded each year

The number of funded projects will depend upon the number of projects selected by and awarded by the committee. 

Duration of Projects

Approved projects will have one year from the notification of the award date to spend the funds. Students must continue to be enrolled at Boise State for the duration of the project.  

Extenuating circumstances may apply and are determined on a case-by-case basis. Unused funds will not be available for use after that date.

Selection Criteria

Proposal selection by the Committee will be based on various criteria, including but not limited to the following:

  • Date the proposal is received (In accordance with the annual project timeline) 
  • Completeness and quality of the application
  • Demonstrated student involvement in proposal development and project implementation
  • Documentation of energy savings and/or conservation of resources
  • Documentation of environmental benefits and impacts
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Ability to improve energy efficiency or resource conservation awareness on campus
  • Ongoing maintenance requirements for the project
  • The ability of the project to be successfully completed in one year
  • Longevity of the project once implemented