University of Richmond
IN-40: Sustainability Projects Fund

University of Richmond Solar Education & Research Fund

The Solar Education Working Group of the Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Committee (SEAC) is proud to announce the University of Richmond Solar Education & Research Fund to support teaching, learning about, and exploring concepts in renewable energy, the climate crisis, and sustainability. Proposals from UR faculty, staff, and students are eligible for awards between $1,000 and $5,000. The aim of the fund is to bring together diverse ways of knowing, bridge academic fields, and build interdisciplinary partnerships within and outside of the University.  The committee that evaluated this was made up of students, staff, and faculty from across the institution.  The composition of the committee was made up of members from the University's Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Committee (SEAC).  The committee developed an evaluative rubric based on what constituted a robust and impactful project, which is how projects were selected. 

Solar Education & Research Fund applications must clearly outline how the proposed project supports education of and/or research on an energy-or climate-related issue or topic. The proposal must also explain how the project bolsters the ability of University of Richmond faculty, staff, and students to work on dimensions of sustainability and how it will benefit the University of Richmond and/or surrounding communities. Special consideration will be given to those projects that address climate and/or environmental justice. 

For 2023, we seek to support projects in 5 categories: 
1.    Renewable and alternative energy education, outreach, and/or research, including but not limited to storage, power grids, electrical vehicles, energy efficiency, solar, and wind
2.    Energy market, regulation, policy, and finance education, outreach, and/or research
3.    Energy justice education, outreach, and/or research
4.    Communication and/or data visualization artifacts (e.g. energy dashboard) to increase awareness and education on renewable energy, climate change, and sustainability
5.    Seed or startup funding for renewable energy and/or climate change programming

Sample topics may include exploring the ongoing transition of the energy system to clean energy production, developing hands-on renewable energy education, addressing the challenges of grid security and decarbonization, and examining how the growing attention to energy justice affects renewable energy’s growth and development. The fund complements efforts to integrate sustainability into a UR education and promote the Sustainability Plan’s goals.