Sustainability Fund

Supported by all undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the Sustainability Fund supports small, short-term projects, helps to subsidize larger, long-term projects and funds student travel to campus sustainability-related conferences.

In 2011, the Board of Trustees approved the creation of the UIC Sustainability Fund as a student-led initiative to improve the quality of campus operations, reduce UIC’s environmental impact and generate awareness about environmental and sustainable issues by creating opportunities for student involvement.

Who administers the funding?

Funding is administered by the Sustainability Fund Advisory Board (SFAB). The SFAB is a 10-person board that is comprised of students, staff, and faculty that meet regularly during the academic year. Any currently registered student, staff or faculty member can join the board.

Who can apply?

All UIC undergraduate, graduate, professional students, registered student organizations, staff, and faculty are eligible to apply. Funding is only available for university-affiliated projects. If needed, SFAB will help provide access to campus resources and personnel for approved projects. SFAB can also suggest other entities that may provide funding or assistance. Awardees will be notified after SFAB meetings if their project is approved. All Sustainability Fund awards require the establishment of a unique self-supporting fund, regardless of award size, and PSPM will work with an awardee's unit business manager to facilitate that transaction.

What kind of projects get funded?

Funding is available every academic year for projects that aid in establishing a sustainable campus environment. All Sustainability Fund projects must make a substantial impact on students; this may be a direct impact on facilities that serve them or an impact through education and engagement opportunities. Funding proposals must align with the goals of the university's Climate Commitments and reflect the solutions of its Climate Commitment Action Plan 2024.

SFAB will evaluate projects based on the following criteria:

High visibility and educational exposure on campus
High incidence of student involvement or employment
Long-term cost benefits
Interdisciplinary collaboration and research

SFAB encourages piloting, innovation, and new technologies – creative projects are encouraged to apply.

Application Process Heading link

Project Proposals Over $5,000

Project proposals over $5,000 will be required to submit an initial Letter of Inquiry. To submit a letter of inquiry, please email all required materials to sustainability@uic.edu.

SFAB will prescreen LOIs for appropriateness and feasibility and provide recommendations for the final proposal. If the LOI is approved, a final proposal must be submitted. Projects over $60,000 should list project components and priorities in the case that the board can partially fund, instead of fully fund, the project. Submission deadlines will be published on UIC Today and added to this website as they become available.

Fall 2024 Letters of Inquiry are due Friday, October 18.

Fall 2024 Final Applications are due Friday, November 15.

Project Proposals Under $5,000

Project proposals can be submitted at any point during the academic year and will be approved on a rolling basis. The SFAB meets to review applications monthly between September and April. Please submit your project at least two full months before the project start date.

Student Internship Proposal

UIC undergraduate students can apply for student internship projects. Housed within PSPM, interns must participate in the Sustainability Internship Program. Internship proposals can ask for student wages and supplies to complete the project. Internship proposals must be submitted during the spring semester for inclusion in the summer internship program.

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

Please review the following materials for more information.