Michigan State University
AC-10: Support for Research

At the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels, there are funding opportunities to support sustainability research and scholarly activity. https://vprgs.msu.edu/for/students.  The Sustainability Michigan Endowed Project (SMEP) provides funding through its SMEP Scholars Program.  This year is the third cohort. Previous awarded projects include: CSUS  Climate Change Adaptation; CSUS Natural Resource Management: CSUS - Environmental Justice, Gender & Community Action.  A third program supporting student research on sustainability projects is the Be Spartan Green Student Project Fund, which provides financial support for students to explore solutions to challenges in sustainability at MSU. Up to $5000 was available per project. http://bespartangreen.msu.edu/student-grants.php.  This project is currently archived.  The MICHSURE program and the SROP programs fund  student research annually where there are consistently a number of sustainability focused research projects included.  Faculty serve as mentors.  This program is open to students from multiple universities to have the opportunity to work with MSU Researchers.  An example is "The effects of using FOGs as feedstock to increase biogas production in municipal waste water anaerobic digesters.  For students that may want to try to commercialize their research, MSU partners with MSU Business Connect, Innovation Center and Spartan Innovations to assist.  http://businessconnect.msu.edu/   

For faculty that may want to try to commercialize research, there is a partnership and a tech transfer program through MSU also partners with MSU Business Connect, MSU Innovation Center and Spartan Innovations. http://businessconnect.msu.edu/.  The AgbioInstitute receives separate funding through the state to support agricultural research including sustainable agriculture.  They often will provide funding to leverage federal funding to support sustainability focused research.  Their programs are not strictly sustainability but provide a strong component.  The other place that substantial sustainability research is conducted cross disciplinary is through key centers and institutes, in particular the Environmental Science and Policy program that has over 250 faculty conducting joint research throughout various subjects.  

Consistent with the University's strategic goals of ""Bolder by Design"", the university is committed to educating tomorrow's leaders and scholars through undergraduate, graduate, graduate-professional education programs.  Faculty provide the means to create knowledge and find innovative ways to solve wicked problems for the state, the nation and the globally.   At MSU, faculty are expected to be both active scholars and student-focused educators, demonstrating substantial scholarship and ability to promote learning through our on-campus and off-campus education and research programs. The essence of scholarship is the thoughtful discovery, transmission, and application of knowledge, including creative activities, that is based in the ideas and methods of recognized disciplines, professions, and interdisciplinary fields.  The Faculty Guide for Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure review identifies the criteria and standards.  Joint appointments are encouraged and common within the university.  An example of support for interdisciplinary research in sustainability is evidenced in the Environmental Science and Policy Program.  The ESPP program provides a unique opportunity for over 250 faculty from 40 different departments work together on research related to advancing science in the sustainable policies and environment.  A hallmark of environmental work at MSU is unprecedented integration across fields - agriculture; natural and social sciences; communications; engineering; human, osteopathic and veterinary medicine; humanities; and law. The common goal is to advance fundamental science and to solve practical problems. Centers and Programs Research Networks ESPP Research Seminars Funding - ESPP Opportunities Funding - External Opportunities Jobs for Students and Recent Graduates Research Video SeriesESPP is an umbrella for environmental research and graduate studies at MSU. In addition, ESPP searches out funding opportunities for students, recent graduates and faculty, from sources ranging from MSU to international organizations. These may be in the form of grants, fellowships, conference funding, sabbatical funding and jobs. Every two weeks,  the latest opportunities are distributed to interested students, staff and faculty.  http://environment.msu.edu/research/funding_faculty.php

"The Library offers extensive materials on the topic of sustainability, as well as electronic access and inter-library loan services with other library systems throughout the world. http://magic.lib.msu.edu/search~/X?search=sustainability,  also https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/c.php?g=417261&p=2843552"