Sustainability Action Fund

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The Sustainability Action Fund (SAF) supports projects and initiatives that improve sustainability at the University of Waterloo. Project funds are distributed based on a call for applications, with successful applications determined by the President’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES).Overview

Applications are now open for Winter 2023. Deadline for project submission is Wednesday, February 15th, at 5:00pm.

Categories

Projects should support at least one of the following focus areas as they relate to campus sustainability:

  • Curriculum development
  • Sustainability in entrepreneurship
  • Knowledge mobilization
  • Climate change
  • Energy
  • Waste management*
  • Water
  • Transportation
  • Grounds
  • Food
  • Procurement
  • Communication
  • Student engagement
  • Employee engagement
  • Community engagement
  • Policy and governance
 
 
*Please note that as of Fall 2020, funding requests for standardized waste receptacles should be accompanied by matching funds. See "funding criteria" below.

Funding

Applicants may request between $2,000 to $30,000 in funding per project.

Projects with ongoing costs CAN resubmit proposals during future calls for applications, although these will be evaluated against other applications and previous project successes.

Applications

Applicants must complete the Sustainability Action Fund Application Form and upload by 5:00pm on the deadline date. Application instructions:

  • Download and complete all sections of the Application Form
  • Sign into the SAF upload page with the above link using your WatIAM username and password
  • Upload the Application Form and any additional supporting documentation. If you have multiple files, save them and upload as a single PDF file or Zipped folder.

Late applications will not be considered until future funding proposals.

Prior to submitting projects to PACES for consideration, the Sustainability Office may follow up with applicants by email or by phone to clarify and gain more details about any items included in the application.

These are not in any way a confirmation or rejection of funding, but an opportunity to explain ambiguities to enable PACES to make the best possible project selection decisions. Any information discussed over the phone or email will be added as supplemental information when sent to PACES.

Projects

All the details

Eligible Applicants: Any University of Waterloo student, staff, or faculty member can submit a project proposal.

Project reports: All successful applicants will be required to submit a project completion report to PACES at the culmination of the project, detailing the project outcomes, including successes, challenges, and how funds were spent.