Chelsea ColleyApplications for the University of Kentucky Sustainability Challenge Grant Program are being accepted now through May 18, 2022. The Sustainability Challenge Grant Program is designed to engage multidisciplinary teams from the university community to foster scholarly, creative and research projects that promote sustainability and advance field(s) of study.
Sustainability, in this context, is intended to convey the need to pursue activities that are ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable. Total project funds available are expected to be $200,000 with individual projects eligible to receive up to $50,000. Application materials can be found on the UK Sustainability website.
This year, program leaders continue to encourage proposals that intersect with challenges and opportunities that emerged during the pandemic and/or those related to the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts of the university.
“This program has been such an important component of our sustainability efforts over the past seven years. We are very excited about the proven potential it has to engage and support our students, faculty and staff who are interested in using sustainability as a framework for engaging with critical issues” said Shane Tedder, UK’s sustainability officer and co-coordinator for the program.
In the seven years of the program to date, 49 projects have been awarded a total of $1.35 million to pursue a wide range of sustainability-driven projects on campus and beyond.
“The Sustainability Challenge Grant provides a unique opportunity for exploring multidisciplinary and collaborative ideas related to sustainability,” said Helen Turner, faculty member in the College of Design’s School of Interiors and co-chair of the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. “As co-chair of the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and a recipient of Sustainability Challenge Grants in previous years, I have seen and experienced the impact of this program on the campus, the community and the individuals involved.”
