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Social and Environmental Sustainability Grant

Student Sustainability Coalition-awarded funding of up to $2,500 for student projects that advance DEIJ or sustainability on campus.

Apply for up to $2,500 through the Social and Environmental Sustainability (SES) grant if you or your student organization is working on a small-scale project, event or initiative that addresses campus sustainability and enhances campus-wide student engagement with sustainability.  If you are unsure which SSC grant best suits your project please feel free to reach out via email or attend one of the grant information sessions linked below.

Email: sustainability.coalition.core@umich.edu

Grant information sessions

Thinking about applying? Check out our Grant Application Guide for everything you’ll need to know!

Applications are accepted during Fall and Winter Semester cycles.

The Fall 2024:

  • Application deadline for the 2024-25 academic year: The SES grant does not have a specific application deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted.

    We review SES grants bi-weekly. The 2024 fall semester review dates are: 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5.

    To be reviewed on a given date, submit your application by the preceding Sunday at 12 p.m. Late submissions will be reviewed in the next session. Please plan accordingly.

Fall 2024 application

View all SES projects

Funding Criteria

  • Increases environmental sustainability on the University of Michigan’s campus

    • Projects eligible for funding address environmental aspects of sustainability, typically dealing with our planet's natural resources.
    • Examples of this might include, improving energy efficiency, reducing consumption of single-use items, sourcing food grown with regenerative practices, reducing waste, etc.

  • Increases social sustainability on the University of Michigan’s campus

    • Projects eligible for funding embody sustainability as a mindset and framework for ensuring that current and future generations have equitable access to resources for full and vibrant life without the exploitation of people, society, or the planet.
    • Examples of this might include, expanding access to fresh produce, increasing affordable housing options, fostering inclusion of diverse perspectives, etc.

  • Projects should engage students in a variety of ways. Examples include research, education, and experiential learning, hands-on involvement, outreach & awareness, teaching about a topic, student usage of end product, etc.)

  • The SES grant prioritizes projects that make a clear impact on the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s campus.

  • This specific grant program will only accept applications from student-initiated and student-driven projects..

  • SSC prioritizes funding projects that present a clear and realistic budget and plan for completion.

  • Further considerations include project durability, cross-collaborativeness, impact across multiple areas of sustainability, maximizing of impact.

Please note we do not award funding for compensating students’ time or budget items not justified as necessary.