Student Fund Grant
The ISU Sustainability Student Fund Grant was developed to empower students to drive sustainability initiatives on campus. The grant offers students the support to strengthen professional development skills, foster innovation, and enhance future opportunities while contributing to greener ISU campuses. All full-time graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested students should fill out the Grant Application and submit it by the required deadline.
Additional Information
Must be a full time graduate or undergraduate student in good academic standing.
Applications will be accepted beginning of the Fall 2024 semester until October 14, 2024. Selected applicants will be notified early November 2024.
Project must directly benefit and/or improve sustainability on an Idaho State University campus and address topics within one of the listed categories.
- Energy Optimization: Projects will enhance the energy efficiency of campus buildings and operations, utilize renewable energy sources, reduce GHG emissions, etc.
- Resource Conservation: Projects will conserve environmental resources on the ISU campus such as water, biodiversity, and local ecosystems
- Consumption and/or Generation Reduction: Projects will reduce the consumption and/or generation of topics on campus such as waste, water, food, energy, etc.
- Sustainable Design: Projects will incorporate sustainability into campus design, construction, infrastructure, transportation, etc.
- Sustainable Materials/Procurement: Projects will focus on incorporating sustainable materials into ISU campus activities, implementing green procurement policies, etc.
- Education, Community Engagement, Behavioral Change: Projects educate campus and/or community about sustainability, promotes sustainable behavior and outreach, creates partnerships within the local community on sustainability projects, serves underrepresented communities within the ISU community through sustainable measures, etc.
Fill out the Grant Application Form with all required information including attachments. Project proposals will be reviewed by the selection committee and chosen applicants will be notified by the Sustainability office with instructions to proceed. Within 30 days of the end date of the project, each recipient must submit an electronic copy of a Final Report or Presentation of work accomplished during the grant process to sustainability@isu.edu.
- Materials & Supplies (as listed on budget proposal)
- Advertising (posters, marketing materials)
- Venue (room reservation on ISU campus)
What can funding not be spent on?
- Cash prizes or fundraising
- Political event(s), lobbying, or religious activities
- Scholarships
- Personal Travel Costs (food, drink, lodging, gas, etc.)
- Individual Research (without a deliverable related to grant goals)
Who is on the selection committee?
The committee is a collection of representatives from both academic faculty and campus staff in addition to the Sustainability Manager and EHSS Director.
What if I graduate before the year is over?
Extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If your scheduled graduation date is before the project is completed and funding is utilized, a meeting between group members, project advisor, and ISU Sustainability can be scheduled to discuss options.
What if we run out of money, can we apply for more?
Yes, an amended budget proposal can be submitted to the Sustainability Office for approval of additional funding.
What happens to unused or excess materials after the project is completed?
Any materials bought but not used will become property of Idaho State University Sustainability for use in future student projects or sustainability initiatives. Students will not retain ownership of any resources purchased during the course of the project.
Who can be a project advisor?
A project advisor can be any ISU faculty or staff member. The advisor will serve as a mentor and resource throughout the course of the project for the students and must review and approve the project application and budget before submission.
What if I want to participate but don’t have a project idea?
If you’re struggling to come up with a project proposal but would still like to participate, reach out to us at sustainability@isu.edu and we’d be happy to help with brainstorming and suggestions!
What types of projects are eligible?
- Educational events
- Outreach activities
- Creative expression
- Sustainable designs
- Piloting an initiative
What are examples of potential project ideas?
- Waste audit
- Sustainability focused learning curriculum for K-12
- Composting education
- Composting feasibility study
- Storm water management/capture/reuse
- Energy assessments
- Greenhouse Gas reduction projects
- Renewable energy projects
- Sustainable product development or implementation
- Native landscaping