All current members of the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community are encouraged to apply for support from the Sustainability Projects Fund.
Application Process
- Review SPF Reference documents
- Download the appropriate application form
- Submit your application
- Await review by the SPF Governance Council
- Work with the SPF team to get your project started!
There are five paths to applying to the SPF, depending on the funds needed to get your project started. View specific instructions for each funding stream below.Ìý
Tiny Stream (Under $300)
The Tiny Stream is a simpler, faster application process for ad-hoc initiatives like sustainability-focused events and projects that contribute to a culture of sustainability at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ.Ìý
Applications for Tiny Stream Projects are due on the 1st and 15th of every month. Please apply at least one month before the start date of your initiative.ÌýÌý
Successful Tiny Stream projects in the past have included Purchase of Reusable Dishware and Research Sustainability Network Launch Speaker Series.Ìý
Under $5,000
Projects requiring under $5,000 start with a Cover Page and Project Plan. Once they have been submitted, SPF staff will get back to you with feedback within two weeks. Sustainability-focused events that contribute to a culture of sustainability at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ may apply for funding through the Under $5,000 Stream.ÌýÌý
Applications for Under $5,000 Funding are accepted on a rolling basis.ÌýÌý
Successful Under $5,000 projects in the past have included Little Free Libraries, Wong Community Gardens, and Active Transportation at Gault.Ìý
Over $5,000
Projects requiring over $5,000 require two steps. First, submit your Cover Page and Project Overview (Part 1). Within two weeks, SPF Staff will get in touch to walk you through your next step: the Project Plan (Part 2), which includes all the nitty-gritty details of your initiative.Ìý
Applications for Over $5,000 Funding are accepted on a rolling basis.ÌýÌý
Successful Over $5,000 projects in the past have included Spin Bike Gardens, Macdonald Campus Tree Planting Initiative, and Green Labs Certification.Ìý
Big Wave (Over $100,000)
The Big Wave funding stream supports large-scale, transformative projects that have a long-lasting impact on ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's campuses needing between $100,000 and $400,000. Due the scale of these projects, teams will have the opportunity to receive a portion of their funding for the design phase, before moving on to project implementation.Ìý
The Big Wave Stream accepts pre-applications on October 1, February 1, and June 1.Ìý
Successful Over $100,000 projects in the past have included Electric Vehicle Subsidy and Improving ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Waste Systems to Achieve Zero-Waste.Ìý
Submit a Big Wave pre-applicationÌý
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Green Labs Expansion
The Green Labs Expansion is a $50,000 envelope of SPF funding to assist labs on ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ campuses to adopt sustainable best practices learned from previous SPF projects.ÌýTeams can request a maximum of $5,000 for their project.ÌýApproved funding will be available to teams for one year to assist them in creating a proof of concept to secure long-term funding for these practices.
Past successful Green Labs projects includeÌýGreen Labs Initiative at the NeuroÌýandÌýÌýÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ-Wide Green Labs Initiative.
Submit a Green Labs Expansion application
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Project Eligibility
Sustainability can mean many things. We recommend that you become familiar with the SPF Sustainability BriefÌýand ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ'sÌýClimate & Sustainability StrategyÌýto see where your project fits in.
In order to be eligible for funding, projects must be:
At ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ
Projects are led by a current student, administrative staff, or academic staff and primarily impact the ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ campus community.
Sustainability-Focused
Projects focus on environmental initiatives that integrate social and economic considerations and advance sustainability on campus.
In Need of Seed-Funding
Projects are either new initiatives or ones that complement, build upon or scale existing initiatives.
Action-Oriented
Projects are action oriented and aim to make tangible change happen on ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ campus(es). These typically do not include research projects.
Evaluation Criteria
The SPF Governance Council considers scope and scale when evaluating project applications. Typically, projects are evaluated on:Ìý
Analysis
A need or issue has been identified, best practices and other funding sources have been researched, and other projects have been consulted for lessons learned.
Impact
The project creates a positive change and its impacts will be shared with the community on a long-term basis, institutionalization, or potential to scale, when possible.
Feasibility
The project is well-planned, has realistic goals, activities and timeline, mitigates risks, and has a budget that makes sense.
Collaboration
The project is inclusive, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and considers the voices of all ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ community members.
Support
The project team has consulted with relevant stakeholders and gained their support and permission if needed.
Capacity Building
The project is a learning opportunity for stakeholders, and includes training, volunteerism, job creation, or complementary applied student research.
Non-Eligible Projects
The SPF cannot support all sustainability-related projects on campus. Some non-eligible projects include:
- Research
- Feasibility studies
- Exception: A feasibility study may be funded through the Big Wave (Over $100,000) stream during the pre-application phase, only to preface a project's implementation.
- Projects requesting ongoing operating expenses
- Projects that solely benefit an individual and not the community, group, or project
- Projects where a one-off event is the primary focus (e.g. symposium, case competition)
- Exception: Sustainability-focused events, funded through the Tiny Stream (Under $300) and the Under $5,000 Stream.
- Projects that have already been completed
- Expenses that occur off campus
- Projects that involve take-back recycling box programs