Sustainability Grant Program

Apply for the Grant!

 

Northeastern Sustainability provides funding to faculty and staff for programs, events, initiatives, and learning across the global network that support the Hub’s goals. Applicants may request funding up to $5,000 per project.

The applicant must demonstrate how their proposal will help achieve one or more of the following goals:

 

  • Uphold campuses as models of sustainable, resilient, healthy, and interconnected communities
  • Contribute to building regenerative economies, both locally and globally
  • Foster strong, collaborative relationships with our neighboring communities
  • Leverage research and academics to advance systemic climate solutions

Application Timeline 

The Spring Grant Cycle is open from Wednesday, February 26th until Friday, March 14th.

Application Link
Application PDF

Grant Application Guidelines 

Eligibility
Funding Details

Applicants may request funding up to $5,000. Projects will be required to have a departmental sponsor who can receive funds transferred from Northeastern Sustainability.

Sustainability staff will review all applications to determine which projects will receive funding based on the following criteria:

 

  • Alignment with our goals
  • Feasibility & Logistics
  • Environmental and Social Impact
  • Regenerative and collaborative process
Funding Types
  • Hosting Events, Speakers, Conferences
  • Campus programs, projects and initiatives
    • Sustainability event or competition
    • Department educational or outreach event
  • Resources (materials, student workers, speakers, training) to advance sustainability in department operations
  • Outreach and educational materials

The funding will not be used for:

  • Research 
  • Incentives for developing sustainability courses 
  • Individual professional development, unless it is directly tied to advancing goals across the university (i.e. Attending a conference would not be covered, but hosting a speaker to discuss with a group of faculty how to incorporate sustainability into courses could be covered)

Frequently Asked Questions

How will funding be determined?

Sustainability staff will review all applications to determine which projects will receive funding based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with our goals
  • Feasibility and logistics
  • Environmental and social impact
  • Regenerative and collaborative process
Can I receive grant funds more than once?

Yes! The grant program is intended as a seed grant for new projects and programs. Though it is possible for someone to receive funds for the same project, they must show how the funds will be applied to a new initiative that builds on the initial project. The grant funds are not intended to be for ongoing operational or staff expenses.  

    What are eligible expenses?
    Please note that all expenses must comply with existing Northeastern University policies and procedures. Eligible expenses must be related to the project that is an approved funding type (see above list).

     

    Ineligible expenses include:

    • Ongoing operational costs (i.e. staffing/wages for a pre-existing or ongoing position)
    • Alcohol
    • Donations
    • Gift Cards
    • Hospitality for project staff and volunteers (i.e. food, drink, gifts other than for event expenses)
    • Any project costs that would normally be covered by other Northeastern departmental budgets
    When will the next grant cycle begin?

    There are two grant cycles annually; one early in the fall semester and one early in the spring semester.

    How do I stay engaged on the grant program and other Hub events and resources?

    To learn more about the grant program and stay up to date on other resources, please join the Faculty/Staff Sustainability Series which meets quarterly. You can also sign up for the Hub’s newsletter here.

    What projects have been funded by this grant in the past?

    Spring 2024 Grant Recipients 

    Grant Project Manager​ 

    		 Project Title​ 

    Campus​ 
    John Blair, Administrative Coordinator​  Hiring a Student Sustainability Ambassador ​  Seattle​ 
    Deniz Toker, Associate Director of Community and Academic Partnerships​  Launching a Reusable Cup Initiative​  Toronto​ 
    Carlos Sandoval Olascoaga, Assistant Professor​  Supporting Autonomous Sensing Technologies to improve Community and Environmental Health ​  Boston​ 
    Youngbok Ryu, Assistant Teaching Professor​  Promoting Sustainable Procurement in Higher Education Institutions​ – Conference Support  Boston​ 
    Victoria Williams, Wellness Program Specialist​  Talking Trees Nature Walk with Talaysay Tours ​  Vancouver​ 
    Juliana Rowen Barton, Director, Center for the Arts​  Art and Community Organizing for Transformative Justice: Publicly Engaged Scholar-in-Residence Event to Activate Community Research Partnerships in Roxbury and Beyond​ – Conference support  Boston​ 

     

    Fall 2024 Grant Recipients

    Grant Recipients

    Department

    Campus Location

    Canny CANIE Spending

    Global Experience Office

    Boston

    Community in Motion: The Means to Engage Sustainably

    Community Service and Civic Engagement, Boston

    Boston

    Community Partnerships and Collaboration at Northeastern London

    NU

    London

    Developing a Culture of Sustainability in First-Year Engineering

    College of Engineering

    Boston

    Hiring a Roux Housing Sustainability Ambassador

    Roux Institute

    Portland

    Hydrate like a Husky Pledge

    NU

    Vancouver

    Launch of the CSSH Sustainability Champions

    College of Social Sciences and Humanities

    Boston

    Orchard Gardens School Food Forest

    NU Arboretum

    Boston

    Reusable Utensils

    Office of Academic Advising, College of Professional Studies

    Boston

    Revitalize the Oakland Campus Trail Network

    NU

    Oakland