Call for Volunteers: AASHE Sustainability Awards Judge
AASHE seeks volunteer judges to lend their expertise for the AASHE Sustainability Awards. Using category-specific criteria, selected judges will choose exceptional contributions to sustainability, helping to elevate the innovators and advancements happening in the movement. Judging will occur in February and judges will be recognized on the AASHE website. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 24, 2026.
AASHE Workshop: Addressing the Inner Dimension of Sustainability in Higher Education
Happening Nov. 13 from 2-5:00 p.m. Eastern, this workshop aims to experientially explore with participants the significance of mindsets, beliefs, values, worldviews, and cognitive and emotional qualities (inner dimensions). Exercises will be introduced and contextualized in conceptual frameworks while presented as potential tools to adapt for educational contexts.
STARS Discount & 2026 STARS Support Cohort
Through the end of 2025, AASHE offers 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 subscription. The deadline to sign up for the cohort or the discount is Dec. 31.
Second Nature Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit Non-Member Discount
Second Nature is offering higher education and nonprofits who are not members a 30 percent discount on the annual summit, happening March 8-10, in Chicago, Illinois. Registrants who take advantage of this discount are also eligible for a 50 percent discount on membership to Second Nature's Climate Leadership Network. The deadline to take advantage of the summit registration discount is Nov. 14.
AASHE Workshop: Addressing the Inner Dimension of Sustainability in Higher Education
Happening Nov. 13 from 2-5:00 p.m. Eastern, this workshop aims to experientially explore with participants the significance of mindsets, beliefs, values, worldviews, and cognitive and emotional qualities (inner dimensions). Exercises will be introduced and contextualized in conceptual frameworks while presented as potential tools to adapt for educational contexts.
AASHE Workshop: STARS 3.0 Data Quality Training & Certification
This virtual workshop offers strategies and tools to develop and hone literacy around STARS version 3, with the ultimate goal of helping institutions efficiently submit, review and publish a high-quality and accurate report. This workshop will cover the basic principles of STARS data quality, the review and revision process, and key data quality resources. It takes place from 3-5:00 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 3 and 6.
AASHE Course: Behavior Change for Collective Climate Action
This is a four-part online, interactive course that teaches participants the theory of collective action and how to incorporate behavior change principles into programs and courses, all while advancing professional goals. Evidence-based behavior change tools include social norms, social identity, increasing efficacy and legacy motivation.
The course will meet over four sessions on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 28, and Nov. 4, 11 and 18.
Call for Session Proposals: 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit
Second Nature invites session proposals for its 2026 summit in Chicago from March 8-10, 2026. The summit is a gathering of higher education leaders focused on addressing inequity and the climate crisis. Proposals should highlight the critical role that higher education plays in creating impactful climate solutions. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct. 6.
Ashoka U Changemaker Leadership Academy
The Changemaker Leadership Academy program by Ashoka U runs from October 2025 to March 2026 and aims to help participants understand and activate their innate changemaking leadership. The deadline to register for the inaugural cohort is Oct. 10.
2025 Campus Sustainability Month Promotional Toolkit
Each October, higher education campuses across the globe celebrate sustainability successes and raise awareness of the value of sustainability during Campus Sustainability Month. AASHE's promotional toolkit offers ready-made text and social media templates (for email, newsletter, web copy and graphics) to help institutions promote Campus Sustainability Month. It also provides guidance on optimal post formats, image sizes, hashtag use and tips to brand content (e.g., including institution logos) for consistent, high-impact communication.
2026 Campus Decarbonization Academy
The 2026 Campus Decarbonization Academy, organized by AASHE, is a six‑month, cohort‑based virtual program that equips higher education institutions with strategies, tools and best practices to plan and implement campus decarbonization. Participants engage with experts, peer‑institution case studies, and resources covering technologies, funding, policy and constituent engagement to accelerate decarbonization efforts. The deadline to apply is Jan. 22, 2026. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Call for Applications: AASHE Sustainability Awards
The AASHE Sustainability Awards provide global recognition to the individuals and institutions leading the higher education sustainability movement. Applications and nominations are being accepted for all categories. The deadline to submit an application or nomination is Jan. 24, 2026.
AASHE Workshop: STARS 3.0 Data Quality Training & Certification
This virtual workshop offers strategies and tools to develop and hone literacy around STARS version 3, with the ultimate goal of helping institutions efficiently submit, review and publish a high-quality and accurate report. This workshop will cover the basic principles of STARS data quality, the review and revision process, and key data quality resources. It takes place from 3-5:00 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 3 and 6.
AASHE Course: Behavior Change for Collective Climate Action
This is a four-part online, interactive course that teaches participants the theory of collective action and how to incorporate behavior change principles into programs and courses, all while advancing professional goals. Evidence-based behavior change tools include social norms, social identity, increasing efficacy and legacy motivation. The course will meet over four sessions on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 28, and Nov. 4, 11 and 18.
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. Interested candidates should submit an application by Oct. 17.
2025 GameDay Football Zero Waste Touchdown Challenge
The GameDay Football Zero Waste Touchdown Challenge is a nationwide competition among colleges and universities to reduce and recycle the waste generated at home football games. There are three categories: diversion, recycling per capita, and food organics per capita. The last day to register is Nov. 17.
Global Sustainability Challenge
The Global Sustainability Challenge is an annual challenge for students to design, implement and showcase real-world sustainability solutions. The deadline to register an interdisciplinary team of 1–6 students is Nov. 3.
WOHESC 2026 Call for Proposals
Organizers for the Washington Oregon Cascadia Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC) invite proposals for program content, sessions and speakers. Happening March 2-4, 2026, the event is themed Still, We Rise: Intergenerational Leadership for a Sustainable Future. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct. 17.
Call for Student Abstracts: HBCU Climate Change Conference
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice invites student abstracts for panel and poster presentations at the 2026 Climate Change Conference, happening March 18-22, 2026. This annual event offers students a platform to showcase their research, connect with environmental and climate justice experts, and gain insights directly from communities experiencing the effects of environmental exposures and climate change. The deadline to submit a student abstract is Dec. 1.
2026 Impact Awards
The Campus Compact Impact Awards recognize examples of meaningful, impactful civic and community engagement work. Individuals may nominate others for the awards or submit applications on their own behalf. Nominations close on Oct. 13 with final applications due on Oct. 31.
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. Interested candidates should submit an application by Oct. 17.
AASHE Course: Behavior Change for Collective Climate Action
This is a four-part online, interactive course teaches participants the theory of collective action and how to incorporate behavior change principles into programs and courses, all while advancing professional goals. Evidence-based behavior change tools include social norms, social identity, increasing efficacy and legacy motivation.
The course will meet over four sessions on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 28, and Nov. 4, 11 and 18.
Climate Action Planning Micro-Certificate
The micro-certificate is designed to equip professionals with the tools, confidence and foundational skills to begin climate action planning within their organizations and communities. It aims to support participants in identifying where to begin, how to engage key colleagues, and what steps to take to prepare a strong foundation for a climate action plan. Offered through the University of British Columbia, the program starts on Oct. 8.
Fall 2025 Organizer Leadership Training Program
This training program through The Student PIRGs and Green Corps aims to provide students with the skills and connections to run effective social change campaigns in their community. Participants can expect to learn the skills and have the opportunity to learn from social change organizers with decades of experience in campaign work.
The People's Ecochallenge 2025
The People's Ecochallenge is a free, month-long gamification program to foster and reinforce positive habits. From Oct. 1–31, participants commit to trying new ways of doing things.
Second Nature Climate Luminary Honors
The Climate Luminary Honors celebrate the extraordinary efforts of higher education institutions that are making bold strides in climate action. The award categories are decarbonization; justice; community; workforce; research and climate resilience. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.
2025 Climate Foundations for Procurement
Climate Foundations for Procurement program is a comprehensive virtual training and coaching program specifically designed for professionals focused on addressing the climate impact of their organization's spend. Offered by the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, the program occurs from Sept. 30 through Nov. 18.
Reusable To-Go ROI Calculation Course
The Reusable To-Go Return on Investment Calculation Course is a 5-6 week program designed for students to gain hands-on experience in financial and logistical analysis of reusable systems. The program is offered by the Post-Landfill Action Network.
Call for Student Sustainability Projects
Cuspers.org invites students to submit sustainability project stories for consideration at an online conference happening Nov. 29. The goal is to facilitate networking by bringing together students involved in similar projects and fostering cross-school collaborations to spread sustainable practices. Projects can be complete, in progress, or proposed. The deadline to submit is Sept. 21.
Facility Management Research Study
Facility managers are invited to participate in a research study aimed at better understanding the current practices and challenges in facility management, and to assess perspectives on how automation and digital technologies may shape daily tasks and responsibilities over the next 3–10 years. The research study is being conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia.
NWF Plastics Reduction Certification Program
The National Wildlife Federation invites colleges and universities to apply for its free certification program for taking action to reduce and remove single-use plastics on campus. The program is organized around four areas: building awareness, supporting behavior change, implementing operational change, and demonstrating institutional leadership.
Wege Prize 2026
Wege Prize, organized by Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University, is an annual competition that challenges college and university students around the world to collaborate across institutional, disciplinary and cultural boundaries to redesign the way economies work. Participants contend for $65,000 in total cash prizes. Team applications are due Oct. 5.
John Z. Duling Grant Program: Tree Fund
The goal of this program is to provide start-up or seed funding to support innovative research and technology transfer projects that have the potential to benefit arborists. John Z. Duling Grants ($15,000 maximum) may be used to support exploratory work in the early stages of untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas and approaches. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1.
2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit Call for Session Proposals
Second Nature invites session proposals for its 2026 summit in Chicago from March 8-10, 2026. The summit is a gathering of higher education leaders focused on addressing inequity and the climate crisis. Proposals should highlight the critical role that higher education plays in creating impactful climate solutions. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct. 6.
Re:wild Your Campus: Ground Up Advocacy Bootcamp
Re:wild Your Campus invites interested students to join the Ground Up Advocacy Bootcamp, a virtual training designed for those looking to learn more about toxic chemicals, rewilding spaces, the intersection of human and environmental health, and how these issues tie back to racial and social justice. The training is Aug. 19 from 5-8:30 p.m. Eastern.
Second Nature Catalyst Grant Opportunity
Second Nature invites applications for a Catalyst Grant. These grants are unrestricted funds to be used to reduce emissions, increase resilience, and advance social equity through climate action. The deadline to apply is Sept. 25.
Compact26 Call for Proposals
Campus Compact organizers invite proposals for the Compact26 national conference that explore the theme—Hope Found Here: Advancing Civic and Community Engagement through Compassion, Action, and Unity. The conference is scheduled in Chicago, Illinois, from March 16-18. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct. 10.
Global Sustainability Challenge Student Ambassadors
Organizers of the Global Sustainability Challenge encourage applications from students enrolled at U.S. higher education institutions. Selected students will support the challenge by participating in outreach efforts at their institution and beyond, provide support to participants, build community, and join regular calls with other ambassadors. Hosted by Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the inaugural challenge will launch in late August 2025 to run through the 2025-26 academic year.
Colleges and Universities for Climate Education Sign-On Opportunity
Earthday.org invites colleges and universities to participate in the awareness campaign promoting climate education across disciplines. Educational institutions can demonstrate their commitment to interdisciplinary climate education by signing the statement, providing their own statement of support, or doing both.
Tree Campus Jumpstart Stipend
Institutions can apply until July 30 for up to a $5,000 stipend to grow a tree care program on campus and earn Tree Campus recognition. Tree Campus Higher Education is a national recognition program through Arbor Day that helps colleges and universities plant, nurture and celebrate trees on campus and beyond.
NWF Plastics Reduction Partner Program
The National Wildlife Federation invites colleges and universities to apply for its certification program for taking action to reduce and remove single-use plastics on campus.
AASHE Workshop: Utilizing Sustainability Pedagogy for Faculty Development
Designed for faculty teaching undergraduate or graduate students, this session explores the Burns Model of Sustainability Pedagogy, a framework for student-centered, action-oriented learning. Participants will collaborate on practical teaching strategies, explore transformative approaches to sustainability education, and receive a playbook with mini-lessons to implement in their courses. This virtual workshop is July 31 from 2-5:00 p.m. Eastern.
