Get funding for your creative projects and innovative ideas that advance sustainability.

The Green Grants program was established to support members of the NYU community in pursuing projects that improve the university's operational environmental performance, foster environmental literacy and community engagement, advance applied research and design, expand sustainability learning opportunities, and demonstrate the viability of best practices and technologies for sustainability. Any current student, faculty, administrator or staff member can apply.

Projects eligible for up to $20,000

The Green Grants Program awards up to $20,000 for the most feasible, impactful, and innovative projects that have potential for institutionalization or are self-sustaining. Applicants must submit an EOI and undergo a project consultation before applying for funding. Applications are reviewed by the Green Grants Committee and are accepted on a semesterly basis.

Projects eligible for $3,000 or less (Microgrants)

Microgrants of up to $3,000 are to support programs and projects that directly improve sustainability at NYU. Applicants must undergo a project consultation before applying for funding. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Sustainability staff and are accepted on a rolling basis. Microgrants may be used to pilot an idea, which can later be developed into a full Green Grant.

Active Projects

BROWSE ARCHIVED GREEN GRANTS PROJECTS

(2007-2020)

Types of Green Grant projects

Green Grants are up to $20,000 and awarded to projects that seek to advance campus sustainability initiatives or enact social-entrepreneurial ventures. Green Grant projects should explore one or more of the following categories:

  • Operations: Projects that pilot innovative ways to improve the material, physical, or infrastructural elements at NYU.
  • Engagement: Projects that foster a campus culture of sustainability.
  • Research and Design: Projects that can be integrated within the university campus or community through use of NYU as a testbed for data collection, or by producing deliverables with potential to catalyze operational, academic or cultural change at NYU. These projects include entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Academic: Projects that improve NYU's capacity for educating about sustainability, including curricular initiatives.
Microgrants are intended for projects that are time-bound or self-contained, such as a one-time event or pilot project. If your project idea is not directly related to advancing sustainability at NYU, includes payment of personnel, and/or requires long-term or ongoing maintenance, it should be submitted as a Green Grant for Committee review, even if the total budget is less than $3,000.

 

How to Apply

Eligibility:

Current NYU students, faculty, administrators and staff at any of NYU's global and study-away sites may apply as project leaders for a Green Grant. All microgrant team members must be internal to NYU and partner with an administrative department within the University for funding disbursal. For larger projects, alumni, community organizations, and interested neighbors are permitted and encouraged to collaborate as members of project teams.

Before you apply:

  1. Review our Green Grants Guidelines for detailed instructions.
  2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and schedule a project consultation with the Office of Sustainability.
  3. After receiving feedback on your project, fill out the appropriate application:

Deadlines:

Microgrant applications (for grants up to $3,000) are accepted on a rolling basis. After application submission, the Office of Sustainability will reply with a decision within 2 weeks.

Green Grant applications (for grants up to $20,000) are accepted on a semesterly basis. 2022-2023 deadlines:

  • Fall deadlines:
    • Expression of Interest deadline: December 3, 2023, 11:59pm ET
    • Consultation deadline: December 22, 2023, 11:59pm ET
    • Application deadline: January 7, 2024, 11:59pm ET

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