Sustainability Projects Fund (SPF)

The Sustainability Projects Funding (SPF) allocates funds to provide support for essential educational experiences and activities that aid and supplement the fundamental educational mission of CSUSM. Sustainability Projects are defined as those activities and projects that are integrally related to helping the campus meet its sustainability goals.

This year, ASI has allocated approximately $10,000 to SPF to fund projects that positively affect CSUSM’s sustainability educational efforts, reduce the University’s environmental impact, and help to “green” our campus.  ASI administers the SPF through a Sustainability Projects Funding Committee.

Learn more about past projects

Application Timeline

Applications are NOW closed!

Before applying, please review the SPF policy listed below! 

Review the ASI Sustainability Projects Funding Policy

Process

1. Submit the application online once applications open. 
2. The committee will review applications. See “Apply” below for more information.
3. If approved, award recipients must schedule an initial meeting with ASI representatives before commencing any project planning or purchasing to review ASI and CSUSM purchasing guidelines and project implementation procedures. If approved, ASI will send an award letter with additional information.
4. All award recipients must submit a final report at the end of the fiscal year in which the project took place. The reports must include all spent monies with receipts, as well as a synopsis of the project’s outcomes, challenges, and successes.

Guidelines

1. Projects must directly address sustainable solutions on CSUSM’s campus.
2. All proposed projects must have a clearly defined, measurable outcome.
3. CSUSM students or CSUSM-recognized student organizations may submit proposals. Individuals and organizations outside CSUSM may not submit proposals.
4. SPF may provide funding to individual students conducting stand-alone research in partnership with a faculty mentor. Projects supported under this guideline should demonstrate the potential to evolve into sustained departmental or campus-wide research efforts. Funding priority will be given to projects that can be built upon by future students, contribute to long-term scholarly activity, and strengthen ongoing research opportunities within the university.
5. All projects shall have a mechanism for evaluation and follow-up after funding has been dispersed.
6. Projects should be fiscally sustainable and fall within the allocated funds for the academic year. The grant is meant to be a one-time award.  If a project is to be ongoing or recurring, the project plan must include a mechanism for funding after the conclusion of the academic year.
7. If a project has ongoing benefits (e.g., annual cost savings), the project plan must include a mechanism for reporting these benefits back to the committee on an annual basis.
8. Project proposals must have publicity, education, & outreach components. Student participation and involvement are highly encouraged.
9. Projects involving permanent structures need to have received all necessary written approval from appropriate campus officials before consideration.
10. Funds cannot be used for financing new infrastructure projects (i.e., new buildings or similar).
11. Preference given to projects that positively influence both social and environmental sustainability and take into account all impacts.
12. Projects shall take place on the CSUSM campus and should be accessible to all CSUSM students, staff, and faculty. However, swag items are available only to CSUSM students.
13. Any items purchased for SPF project operations will be considered ASI property and must be returned to ASI at the conclusion of the fiscal year (July 31).

If you have questions, please contact sgallacher@csusm.edu.