Green Fund 2014

In spring 2010, The New School Green Fund was launched as part of an annual initiative to increase community involvement in the sustainability efforts of the university and promote research around environmental issues. Since then, 47 student- and faculty-led projects and research have received funding.

The 2014 submission period is now closed.

For questions about The New School's Green Fund, contact greenfund@newschool.edu.

There are two types of funding:

Projects

• Apply for a project
• Maximum of $10,000 per project.
  Capital and execution costs are available for projects that can demonstrate reductions in the university's greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation or can improve indoor air quality, eco-literacy and community engagement around sustainability issues. Funding shall be used for materials and/or consultant fees.

Research Seed Grants

• Apply for a Research-Seed Grant
• Maximum of $5,000 per seed grant.
  Faculty members are eligible for funding to finance student research. These grants are meant to finance research that has significant benefit to the university's sustainability efforts, increase the university's sustainability profile, provide students with strong learning opportunities and demonstrate a potential for further research and grant opportunities.

The Green Fund is not to be used for conference fees, travel, paying yourself, personal electronics, and items that would not be permanently stationed on campus. All recipients will be required to present their project outcomes or research findings to The New School community in an event in the spring as well as archive the content on this website.

Judging Criteria

In an effort to improve the Green Fund and the impact of the projects it funds, the committee has refined the criteria for projects and research seed-grants.

Projects and research that address the following areas of interest will be given preference:

• Projects and research pertaining to the new University Center's operations, occupant education, promotions, etc.
• Expanding sustainability in The New School curricula
• Research that informs further research at The New School and/or creates a tool or body of information to be used by students and other faculty
• The New School's energy consumption and measurement (as related to climate change, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas inventorying, etc.)
• The New School's waste management (as related to recycling, composting, improving diversion rates, etc.)
• The New School's water consumption and storm water management (as related to conservation, gray and black water reuse systems, etc.)
• Behavior change required to mitigate the above mentioned impacts

Projects and research that meet the following criteria will be given preference:

• Measurable
• Scalable – a project that could be expanded on campus
• Departmental support

All students submitting proposals must have a faculty sponsor.

Selection Process

The Green Fund Committee is composed of faculty, staff, and students who review all proposals. Gwen Kilvert, Academic Sustainability Initiatives, Provost's Office, oversees the committee. Final funding decisions are based on majority, though consensus is encouraged. Members of the committee may not submit proposals for funding.

Timeline

Please check back for the Green Fund 2015 timeline.

Past Examples

The third round of funding in December 2013 supported two research seed grants and five projects including:

• Developing the curriculum for a Parsons Collab that aims to prototype interventions in the new University Center that will foster more sustainable behaviors.
• A Mannes College The New School of Music original composition and lecture about water
• A mobile prototype of a "Bicycle Service Station" for the New School cycling community
• Testing and selection of more energy-efficient lighting for the two galleries of the Sheila Johnson Design Center.

See our online Library Archives for more examples.