Green Fund 2015

In spring 2010, The New School Green Fund was launched as part of an annual initiative to increase community involvement in the sustainability efforts of the university and promote research around environmental issues. Since then, 47 student- and faculty-led projects and research have received funding.

Submission Period

The 2015 submission period is now open. Proposals must be submitted by May 1, 2014 at noon.

For questions about The New School’s Green Fund, contact greenfund@newschool.edu.

There are two types of funding:

Projects

• Apply for a project
• Maximum of $10,000 per project.
  Capital and execution costs are available for projects that can demonstrate reductions in the university’s greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation or can improve indoor air quality, eco-literacy and community engagement around sustainability issues. Funding shall be used for materials and/or consultant fees.

Research Seed Grants

• Apply for a Research-Seed Grant
• Maximum of $5,000 per seed grant.
  Faculty members are eligible for funding to finance student research. These grants are meant to finance research that has significant benefit to the university’s sustainability efforts, increase the university’s sustainability profile, provide students with strong learning opportunities and demonstrate a potential for further research and grant opportunities.

The Green Fund is not to be used for conference fees, travel, paying yourself, projects that in no way pertain to or benefit the university, personal electronics, and items that would not be permanently stationed on campus. All recipients will be required to present their project outcomes or research findings to The New School community in an event in the spring as well as archive the content on this website.

Judging Criteria

In an effort to improve the Green Fund and the impact of the projects it funds, the committee has refined the criteria for projects and research seed-grants.

Projects and research that address the following areas of interest will be given preference:

• Projects and research pertaining to the new University Center’s operations, occupant education, promotions, etc.
• Expanding sustainability in The New School curricula
• Research that informs further research at The New School and/or creates a tool or body of information to be used by students and other faculty
• The New School’s energy consumption and measurement (as related to climate change, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas inventorying, etc.)
• The New School’s waste management (as related to recycling, composting, improving diversion rates, etc.)
• The New School’s water consumption and storm water management (as related to conservation, gray and black water reuse systems, etc.)
• Behavior change required to mitigate the above mentioned impacts

Projects and research that meet the following criteria will be given preference:

• Measurable
• Scalable – a project that could be expanded on campus
• Departmental support

All students submitting proposals must have a faculty sponsor.

Selection Process

The Green Fund Committee is composed of faculty, staff, and students who review all proposals. Gwen Kilvert, Academic Sustainability Initiatives, Provost’s Office, oversees the committee. Final funding decisions are based on majority, though consensus is encouraged. Members of the committee may not submit proposals for funding.

Timeline

April 10, 2014 – Green Fund 2014 Presentations (Applicants for 2015 are strongly encouraged to attend this event to learn more about the types of projects that get funded and for the Green Fund Committee Q&A.)

May 1, 2014 – Green Fund 2015 proposals due

May 16, 2014 – Green Fund 2015 awardees announced

July 1, 2014 – Green Fund 2015 Awardees access to funds

April 2015 – Green Fund 2015 Awardees present their projects to date

May 1, 2015 – Green Fund 2015 projects expend all award money

Past Examples

The fifth round of funding in May 2013 supported one research seed grant and four projects including:

• An eco-friendly lifestyle kit and guide for residents of Kerrey Hall.
• A comprehensive reusable to-go container program in the new University Center cafeteria.
• An investigation of technologies available on the market that could mitigate electricity usage on campus attributed to window air-conditioning units.
• Student research that focuses on electronic waste (e-waste) at The New School and in New York City and ways to better visualize and create public awareness of the links between information consumption, resource scarcity and material e-waste with global impact.

See our online Library Archives for more examples.