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Sustainability Fund

Any student, faculty, or staff at UMD can receive funding for initiatives and projects that benefit sustainability! Approximately $800,000 is available each fiscal year in the Sustainability Fund, so consider any ideas or initiatives you'd like to propose.

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There are three main ways to access grant funding for campus sustainability projects:

  1. Sustainability Fund Grants (over $2,000)
  2. Sustainability Fund Mini-Grants (less than $2,000)
  3. Other Funding Sources

The Fund is supported by the Student Sustainability Fee and administered through a student-majority committee of the University Sustainability Council.

Over 185 projects have received more than $3.5 million in Sustainability Fund grants since 2011. Explore those projects and learn more about each years' grant recipients! 

Proposals are due by October 15th or January 15th, each year.

The minimum grant request is $2,000 for fund grants. If you would like to request less than that amount, apply for a Sustainability Mini-Grant. Please review the proposal materials and online content carefully. It is highly recommended you contact the Office of Sustainability at least four weeks in advance of the proposal deadline to talk through your proposal before you submit it.

Are you interested in applying to the fund or looking for information after receiving an award? Click the shortcuts below to find the information you need.

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Biowall
Biowall
Biowall was installed in McKeldin Library in 2018 with support from the Sustainability Fund.
reACT house
reACT House
The Sustainability Fund awarded a grant to support the reACT house, which was the national winner of the 2017 Solar Decathlon.
Sustainability Fund Grant Recipient
Grant Recipient
UMD project leaders receiving $450,633 in Sustainability Fund grants.

Use Sustainability Fund to…

  • Identify/apply for funding & grants

    The Sustainability Fund provides grants for projects that improve environmental performance of campus operations, create opportunities for UMD students to learn about and develop skills for sustainability, and/or involve research that meets the Fund criteria.