University of Pennsylvania
IN-40: Sustainability Projects Fund

Penn’s Green Fund, launched in 2009 by the Penn Sustainability Office and funded by the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services, invites ideas from students, faculty, and staff to enhance the University's environmental performance and reduce emissions. Projects must align with Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0, which aims to reduce the University’s carbon footprint and improve sustainability. Awards of up to $30,000 are available. Priority is given to projects that educate or change behavior at Penn, enhance overall campus sustainability, are applicable across campus, focus on Penn’s campus, are interdisciplinary and engage multiple stakeholders, introduce new and innovative ideas, and demonstrate a quantifiable return on investment if applicable.

The Green Fund Review Committee, which includes students, faculty, and staff, meets monthly to review applications based on CSAP and Green Fund criteria. Applications must include a project description with intended outcomes and success evaluation criteria, details on any independent funding, identification of project participants and their leadership roles, the target beneficiary audience, a detailed timeline with start and implementation dates, specific cost and savings estimates, and a sponsorship letter from the sponsoring department chair or center head.