Student Sustainability Grants Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Student Sustainability (SS) Grant?
The Student Sustainability Grant helps fund student projects to make the USU campus community more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. It’s a student-led program that gives every student on the Logan campus the opportunity to implement a sustainability project.
All USU undergraduate and graduate students on the Logan campus can apply for a grant. Proposals can be made by individuals or student teams; cross-disciplinary teams and projects are strongly encouraged.
Student Sustainability Grants must address one, two or three of the pillars of sustainability: people, planet, prosperity. Proposals that address the 3 pillars of sustainability are more likely to be funded.
What kind of projects get funded?
All sorts! Projects implemented by students in the past include bike racks, campus greenhouses, water bottle filling stations, and research projects. Priority is given to those projects that have the biggest impact on student life at USU.
Why Apply for a grant?
If you have an idea for promoting sustainability, the SSG grant is a great way to get the support and structure needed to make it a reality. In addition to helping the planet, writing a successful grant proposal and managing a project is a great way to get experience and looks good on a resume.
I don't have an idea for a project, can I still get involved?
If you want to be involved in the SS grant process but don’t want to submit your own proposal, there are a lot of ways to get involved. Idea Labs are held each week in
the Student Sustainability Office (TSC 316A). Here, you can brainstorm ideas or receive
feedback on your proposal. Many proposals are submitted by groups, so you can see if other students want to team up. You can also ask your academic senator to choose you for the Grant Selection Committee, and help decide which projects to fund.
How did the Grant Program get started?
The SS grant program was originally supported by the Blue Goes Green Student fee. This fee was approved during the 2011 ASUSU elections after a campus-wide campaign to address sustainability issues at USU. In 2021, funding was moved out of student fees.
What is the timeline?
Student Sustainability Grants are accepted on a rolling basis October 15 - April 15.
How are funding decisions made?
The SSG selection process is overseen by the Student Sustainability Office. All funding decisions for student projects are made by the SSG Student Grant Committee. This committee is made up of the following members:
- Coordinator/Advisor of Student Sustainability Office
- Sustainability Council Chair
- Sustainability Coordinator (Facilities)
- Eight student members-one from each of the eight colleges selected by that college’s academic senator
- One Student Sustainability intern
The group meets monthly from November - April to review, discuss, and vote grant proposals. Preference is given to projects that demonstrate the greatest impact for the least cost.
How do I apply for a grant?
To apply for a grant, first come up with a solid idea to promote sustainability on campus. Students must collaborate with faculty and/or staff and choose a project advisor prior to submitting an application. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis through the Student Sustainability Grants webpage.
For more information on the SSG process or help putting together a proposal, contact the Student Sustainability Office at sso@usu.edu. Weekly Idea Labs are held in the SSO (316A).