Understanding the Inextricable Connections Between Racial and Climate Justice
This two-part virtual training series, offered by Equity in the Center, will explore the current reality of climate catastrophe, using an intersectional lens to help participants understand the central role that racial oppression has played up to this crisis point. This interactive series will encourage attendees to implement their learning by identifying specific action steps that apply to their work and communities.
SportsArt Campus Challenge
The challenge invites students to submit TikTok videos explaining how they are taking up sustainable actions. Three students from three different schools will win prize packages valued at $27,000, $43,000 and $70,000 to be awarded to their campus recreation centers. The challenge ends on March 15.
Drawdown Ecochallenge
Drawdown Ecochallenge is a customizable and solutions-oriented engagement program focused on reducing carbon in the atmosphere. Participants choose actions to complete, then track and share their progress. Ecochallenge is offered in partnership by Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown.
Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit
Taking place in Washington, D.C., from April 2 - 4, the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit provides the opportunity for professionals to explore emerging technologies and share innovative strategies in energy efficiency, decarbonization, water and waste reduction.
NSF Strengthening American Infrastructure Grant Opportunity
This National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program seeks to stimulate human-centered, use-inspired, fundamental and potentially transformative research aimed at strengthening infrastructure in the United States. Successful projects will represent a convergence of expertise in one or more social, behavioral or economic sciences, deeply integrated with other disciplines, to support fundamental research applied to strengthening a specific focal infrastructure. The application closing date is March 12.
Energy Dept Grid Resilience Planning Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office launched the Grid Resilience Technical Assistance Consortium, a funding opportunity to provide technical assistance for grid resilience planning and decision-making to accelerate analysis of regional climate change threats and impacts on electric grid infrastructure. The initial grant opportunity of up to $2 million will support the formation of regional consortia made up of universities, nonprofits and industry organizations to leverage existing models, tools and methodologies to prioritize investments for impactful community benefits.
Eric Zencey Prize in Ecological Economics
The prize recognizes the best current affairs book or long-form journalism that advances public understanding of real-world environmental challenges using the principles of ecological economics, a field that explores the relationships between economics and Earth’s limited natural resources. The winning author will receive $5,000, plus financial support for a trip to the University of Vermont for a public campus event. The deadline to submit is Jan. 31.
AASHE On-Demand
This virtual repository encapsulates years of insights and knowledge gleaned from AASHE conferences. With over 400 sessions, keynotes, masterclasses and webinars, the platform provides indispensable resources to drive effective and impactful changes in institutional sustainability. Registration for AASHE On-Demand is open to all, while attendees of AASHE 2023 in Boston are granted complimentary access. All content is available through July 31.
Ground Up Advocacy Bootcamp
Re:wild Your Campus invites interested students to join the Ground Up Advocacy Bootcamp, a virtual training intensive designed for those looking to dive deep into advocacy and organizing in the toxins space. The training is Jan. 23 and 24 from 6-8:30 p.m. Eastern.
Wrigley Storymakers Program
The Storymakers Program is a weeklong intensive that trains full-time, mid-career researchers in the art of environmental storytelling. Held in residence at the Wrigley Marine Science Center through the University of Southern California Dornsife, the program includes lectures, workshops, studio time for creating original content, and networking opportunities. The program runs June 23 through June 29.
Circular Plastics Challenge
Net Impact invites student teams to submit a strategy for increasing the supply of rPET to create a more circular economy for plastics. Up to five teams will be selected as finalists. The first place team will receive the $10,000 grand prize, with second and third place teams taking home $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. The deadline to apply is March 29.
The Green Program Scholarships
The Green Program’s scholarship program provides financial support for outstanding participants from diverse backgrounds to experience programs abroad. Scholarships are accepted on a rolling basis.
Green Teams Internship Program
Students are invited to apply for this internship program, happening May 28 through Aug. 8 at Montclair State University. Students accepted into the program are put into transdisciplinary teams of five that work with corporations, organizations, non-profits, municipalities and community groups to address substantial sustainability issues. All interns will receive a stipend for the summer and free housing at Montclair State University, if requested. The application deadline is Jan. 28.
2024 Freezer Challenge
The International Freezer Challenge is a cold storage competition for laboratories organized by My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL). The Freezer Challenge occurs over a six-month period (Jan. 1 - July 1) during which individual labs work at their own pace to implement optimal cold storage management practices.
AASHE On-Demand
This virtual repository encapsulates years of insights and knowledge gleaned from AASHE conferences. With over 400 sessions, keynotes, masterclasses and webinars, the platform provides indispensable resources to drive effective and impactful changes in institutional sustainability. Registration for AASHE On-Demand is open to all, while attendees of AASHE 2023 in Boston are granted complimentary access. All content is available through July 31.
2024 AASHE Sustainability Change Leadership Program
The AASHE Sustainability Change Leadership Program is a three-month virtual program aimed at training individuals in various aspects of organizational change for sustainability, applicable now and throughout one’s career. One-on-one and collaborative coaching from expert faculty, mentors and peers provides participants with ongoing support aimed at refining skills and providing an iterative project process. There are limited openings available for this cohort (approximately 10-12 participants). The deadline to apply is Jan. 16.
Sustainability Professionals Exchange 2024
Presented by AASHE, the Sustainability Professionals Exchange is a professional learning opportunity that provides space to explore challenges and opportunities for refining and progressing sustainability work on campus. The online event takes place across four half-days in January 2024 and is structured to enable participants to co-create the agenda.
AASHE Workshop: Building a Curriculum Development Program: The Piedmont/Ponderosa Model
This curriculum development workshop aims to equip faculty/instructors with the knowledge, materials and strategies to adapt the Piedmont/Ponderosa model of sustainability across the curriculum at their institutions. Resource materials, interactive breakout room discussions and opportunities for Q&A will be included. The event takes place on Jan. 4 and 11, 2024, from 2-4:30 p.m. Eastern on both days. The registration deadline is Jan. 4, 2024.
2024 AASHE Sustainability Change Leadership Program
This program is a three-month virtual program aimed at training individuals in various aspects of organizational change for sustainability, applicable now and throughout one’s career. One-on-one and collaborative coaching from expert faculty, mentors and peers provides participants with ongoing support aimed at refining skills and providing an iterative project process. There are limited openings available for this cohort (approximately 10-12 participants). The deadline to apply is Jan. 16, 2024.
Joan Mosenthal DeWind Award
The Xerces Society offers annual awards to support students pursuing educational research in Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) conservation. The awards will be $10,000 each, with two awards available. The submission deadline is Jan. 7, 2024.
Environmental Changemaker Certificate Training
Offered by Change the Chamber, this training is for those that work in the environmental and/or climate advocacy space. Launching Jan. 16, it offers content on allyship, systems change, storytelling, visioning, relationship and coalition building, and communications. Students who complete the courses receive a certificate.
Second Nature Pro Bono Consulting
Signatories to one of Second Nature's Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments and/or members of the University Climate Change Coalition are eligible to apply for pro bono technical assistance and consulting services with climate action planning, GHG scope analysis, decarbonization and renewable energy, valued up to $25,000. The deadline to apply is Dec. 22.
AASHE On-Demand
This virtual repository captures years of knowledge and insights from AASHE conferences. The platform offers access to over 400 sessions, keynotes, masterclasses and webinars, providing invaluable resources for effective and impactful institutional sustainability change. Anyone can register for AASHE On-Demand, however, those that registered for AASHE 2023 in Boston, Mass., receive complimentary access. All content is available through July 31, 2024.
Sustainability Professionals Exchange 2024
Presented by AASHE, the Sustainability Professionals Exchange is a professional learning opportunity that provides space to explore challenges and opportunities for refining and progressing sustainability work on campus. The online event takes place across four half-days in January 2024 and is structured to enable participants to co-create the agenda.
Accounting for Sustainability International Case Competition
The A4S International Case Competition is an opportunity for students to design the next generation of sustainable business models. This year's case focuses on 'Adapting Business Models to Support Human Rights for All'. The application window closes on Jan. 14, 2024.
Bicycle Friendly University Open Application Period
The League of American Bicyclists invites applications for the Bicycle Friendly University recognition, a program that recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. The application deadline is Aug. 8, 2024.
2024 STARS Cohort and End of Year Discount
Through the end of 2023, AASHE is providing two opportunities to help institutions participate in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)–a cohort program and a 20 percent discount off a new STARS Full Access subscription. The deadline to sign up is Dec. 31.
Smart Approaches to Sustainability on Campuses Survey
A team from the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme and the European School of Sustainability Science and Research invites participants to complete a survey called Smart Approaches to Sustainability on Campuses. This study investigates how higher education institutions have been implementing smart campus sustainability approaches.
2024 Campus Race to Zero Waste Competition
The Campus Race to Zero Waste is a free competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities. Over an eight-week period each spring, colleges report the amount of recycling and trash collected each week and are then ranked in various categories. New in 2024 is an events category that recognizes institutions that track and report waste for one-day campus events. Deadline to register is Jan. 31, 2024.
STARS 3.0 Consultative Weighting Exercise
This survey is designed to give the broader AASHE community a voice in the process of weighting the categories and impact areas that will be included in the next version of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS 3.0). The results will be shared with the STARS Steering Committee to inform the final point allocation process for the new version. AASHE is soliciting feedback through Nov. 12.
Wild Kingdom College and University Grant Program
National Wildlife Federation and Mutual of Omaha invite applications for grant funding aimed at supporting universities and colleges to showcase and fund innovative and solutions-based programs or strategies that help protect and/or restore wildlife and key habitats. Grant amounts are $7,500 and $10,000. The deadline to submit an application is Dec. 15.
The Climate Initiative Youth Action Grants
Youth Action Grants will be awarded to individuals or groups who demonstrate a commitment to mitigating and/or adapting to the impacts of climate change in their communities.
Action projects should be student-led and community-based, and empower students to develop climate solutions in their local landscape.
Anti-Racist Community Engagement: 2023-2024 Virtual Speaker & Workshop Series
This series of virtual author talks and workshops explores how students, community members, staff and faculty put anti-racist principles into practice at college and university campuses and in communities. The series is offered by Campus Compact, in collaboration with the authors and editors of the recently published book,Anti-Racist Community Engagement: Principles and Practices.
Building Performance Standards in Higher Education Workshop Series
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Sustainable Endowments Institute are offering a series of virtual workshops on Building Performance Standards and what it means for higher education. This workshop series aims to provide a background on existing building policies in the U.S., discuss how the requirements of upcoming policies can be designed to better align with institutional realities in the higher ed sector, and explore how college and university leaders can prepare for these policies.
AASHE Governance Call for Applications
AASHE seeks candidates to serve on its board of directors, STARS Steering Committee and Advisory Council that can lend their time, talent and expertise to advance all aspects of AASHE's mission. In particular, AASHE encourages applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and those with expertise in racial equity and social justice. Interested candidates should submit an application by Nov. 3.
Sustainability Professionals Exchange 2024
Presented by AASHE, the Sustainability Professionals Exchange is a professional learning opportunity that provides space to explore challenges and opportunities for refining and progressing sustainability work on campus. The online event takes place across four half-days in January 2024 and is structured to enable participants to co-create the agenda.
STARS 3.0 Consultative Weighting Exercise
This survey is designed to give the broader AASHE community a voice in the process of weighting the categories and impact areas to be included in the next version (3.0) of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). The results will be shared with the STARS Steering Committee to inform the final point allocation process for the new version. AASHE is soliciting feedback through Nov. 12.
US EPA Environmental Education Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks grant applications to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. Up to $3.6 million is available across each of the EPA’s 10 regions, divided into grants of $50,000–$100,000 each, for a total of 30–40 grants. Applications are due Nov. 8.
2024 Corporate Engagement Challenge
Intentional Endowment Network's Student Corporate Engagement Challenge invites students to pitch an investment in a publicly-traded company, and include in that recommendation a shareholder engagement strategy focused on addressing inequality and the climate crisis. The deadline to sign up is Dec. 22.
Winter ‘24 Institute on Teaching Social Action
This three-day virtual event (Jan. 3-5, 2023) will introduce faculty and staff to an experiential learning approach for incorporating social action campaigns into either a semester-long course or co-curricular workshop series. During three half-days (noon to 4:00 p.m. Eastern), participants will draft a syllabus and develop a teaching plan for supporting student campaigns. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.
COP28 Second Nature Delegation
This December, Second Nature will be leading a higher education delegation to the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, happening Nov. 30 through Dec. 12. Second Nature invites those who plan to attend to fill out the form so that events, receptions and sessions can be planned.
ISO 50001 Energy Management Technical Assistance Cohorts
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 50001 Ready program is providing free technical assistance to cohorts of energy team members at colleges and universities aiming to implement energy management systems based on the ISO 50001 standard. The cohort program includes six to twelve months of support and resources developed by the Department of Energy.
Large-Scale Renewable Energy Siting and Planning Grant Funding
The Renewable Energy Siting Through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program, offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, seeks to expand the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting and permitting. The R-STEP program is accepting applications for the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy siting processes at the state and local levels. The deadline to submit is Nov. 3.
Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) Program Grants
This U.S. Department of Commerce grant program provides funding to teams of applied researchers seeking to expand society's regional capacity to adapt to climate impacts. The application deadline is Feb. 5, 2024.
