University of Alberta
ER-18: Sustainability Research Incentives

As research at the University of Alberta includes a combination of faculty and student members, centers and initiatives often include both faculty and student participants. Below are seven examples of programs which encourage both students and faculty from multiple disciplines to conduct sustainability research. THE SCHOOL OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT http://www.see.ualberta.ca/index.cfm The School of Energy and the Environment (SEE) brings together researchers in diverse areas (engineering, science, arts, agriculture, native studies, business, law, public health, medicine, and others) to conduct research and undertake interdisciplinary education to contribute to issues of environment, energy and the economy. Major projects involve climate change, ecosystem management, water management, alternative energy, clean coal development, carbon dioxide management, and recovery of conventional and non-conventional resources. Due to partnerships with those listed below, the university has attracted more than $50 million in energy-related research funding and multidisciplinary collaborations. Funding is provided for researchers under the Canada School of Energy and Environment (CSEE) allocation to SEE. SEE also allows substantial increases in undergraduate and graduate access to disciplines within energy and the environment and research collaborations between faculty and students with researchers at other CSEE universities. CANADIAN CIRCUMPOLAR INSTITUTE http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/CCI/ The mission of the Canadian Circumpolar Institute (CCI) is “to promote and enhance the knowledge, awareness and sustainability of polar environments for all, through quality research, education and outreach programs” throughout all faculties at the University of Alberta. Research support and services, grants and scholarships, and graduate research support and training are core parts of CCI’s regular activities. CCI provides funding for faculty through the Ashley and Janet Cameron Research and Education Seed Fund and CCI 50 Fund. CCI also provides research grants to graduate and senior undergraduate students and they encourage collaboration of research teams in funding decisions. THE HELMHOLTZ-ALBERTA INITIATIVE http://www.helmholtzalberta.ca/ The Helmholtz-Alberta Initiative is a partnership between the University of Albert and the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres to find solutions to environmental issues facing energy projects, such as German coal production and Alberta oilsands. One of the major objectives is to establish an international, interdisciplinary graduate school, offering course development, joint supervision by joint/adjunct professors and industry placement. The goal of the program is to develop graduates who have a solid network in their industry, early in their careers and the ability to lead the various sectors into more sustainable and profitable practices. THE CENTRE FOR EARTH OBSERVATION SCIENCES http://ceos.ualberta.ca/index.html The Centre for Earth Observation Sciences (CEOS) contains faculty members from multiple departments, including Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Computing Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Resources. CEOS plays a key role in monitoring environmental changes, resource management and formulating sustainable developmental policies to help play a role in environmental risk mitigation through research. Projects associated with CEOS have attracted funding from major provincial, national and international agencies, such as the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). CEOS is also one of the anchor facilities in the new Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science building on the University of Alberta campus, which was developed to promote interdisciplinary science research. GREEN GRANTS http://www.sustainability.ualberta.ca/Projects/GrantPrograms.aspx The Office of Sustainability offers Green Grants to stimulate projects that demonstrate a commitment to building a sustainable future on campus. Applicants must outline how their project will lead to measurable benefits and results across our campus community. Projects eligible for sponsorship could include: presentations, demonstration sites, education events, office green teams, bicycle clinics, skill-building activity, paper reduction campaign, social marketing tools, contests and challenges. Creativity is encouraged. Projects should incorporate bias-balanced approaches, collaboration and lead to positive change. SUSTAINABILITY ENHANCEMENT FUND http://www.sustainability.ualberta.ca/Projects/GrantPrograms.aspx The Sustainability Enhancement Fund supports collaborative projects that improve the university's operational performance, foster campus engagement, and demonstrate the viability of best practices and technologies. This fund is made possible by the savings generated from energy efficiency projects from the UAlberta’s energy management program. THE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH INITIATIVE http://www.uri.ualberta.ca The Undergraduate Research Initiative supports the involvement of University of Alberta undergraduate students in research activities. This program provides an Alumni Association Award for Innovation in Sustainability Research. Campus Saint-Jean also provides Sustainability and Environment Award.

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