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Overview

The Student Sustainability Grant (SSG) program supports Â鶹´«Ã½ research, projects, and other activities that have the potential to advance our campus culture of sustainability. Funding is awarded twice per school year by a committee of Â鶹´«Ã½s representing all colleges. The Program is a collaboration between WMU Â鶹´«Ã½ governments, the Office of Student Engagement, and the Office for Sustainability. The Program is supported by the WMU Student Sustainability Fee.

Annual deadlines

Proposals are due at 11:59 p.m. the Thursday before Thanksgiving (Fall awards) and 11:59 p.m. the Thursday before Spring Break (Spring awards). The fall semester deadline is Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

Application process

1. .
2. Review previous grant abstracts.

3. Review the Student Sustainability Grant Allocations Commission (SSGAC) Bylaws (the Grant Program Rules for Applicants and Commission members).

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4. Find a WMU faculty or staff advisor willing to support you or your project team.
5. Understand that applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare an abstract and estimated budget and to make an appointment with both the WMU Office for Sustainability Director (Jeff) and the Western Student Association Sustainability Director (Grace) to discuss details at least 4 weeks prior to each semester deadline.
6. Understand that applicants who intend to modify university buildings or landscapes, add infrastructure to campus, influence campus safety, or conduct research involving humans or animals are required to consult with the Director of the WMU Office for Sustainability at least six weeks prior to the submission deadline. These types of proposals typically require technical reviews approvals by several campus specialists or committees before the application deadline. Budget proposals for infrastructure projects must include proposed funding or commitments from campus collaborators that address the costs of transport, installation, repair, maintenance, removal, and site restoration at the end of the service life of the infrastructure (e.g. covered bike shelter, rooftop solar panels, art installation, etc.). It may not be possible for these types of grant requests to meet the Fall 2024 application deadline and achieve pre-approvals. Applicants seeking these types of grants should target the Spring 2025 application deadline in order to maximize their planning time. Proposals involving animals and animal care on campus are strongly discouraged and will likely be prohibited.
7. Ask questions or complete and submit the application to the Program by email attachment to both @email and @email.