A few weeks ago I was invited to the year end Green Grants Committee meeting hosted by the Office of Sustainability. The Green Grants Committee at NYU looks to fund projects (up to $20,000 per project) that further sustainability efforts on campus, in the community or at a larger scale. The committee is made up of interested students, faculty and staff who have an interest in sustainability and the environment.

The meeting opened and we quickly dived into the five applications that were on the agenda. The proposals ranged in scope from tackling social issues on an international scale to an app that would connect food waste with those who could use it for another purpose. For each project the group deliberated each part of the proposal and then voted as to whether or not funding should be provided and at what level. In some cases when the panel thought that more research was needed they voted just for that portion of the project to go forward.

Attending the meeting provided me with great insight into the Green Grants process—what really impressed me was the amount of feedback that the committee members were willing to give on the projects. Instead of creating an atmosphere of competition, the committee members really showed how much they cared about each project—it was obvious they wanted anyone with a sustainable idea to move forward.

Overall, I was really impressed by the Green Grants process—being able to attend a meeting allowed me to see that anyone and everyone should apply with an idea—you really have nothing to lose, and only positive feedback to gain! If you are interested in applying for a Green Grant or just want to learn more, check out the Green Grants website. You can also submit an EOI to obtain feedback and advice from employees of the Office and Sustainability before submitting a grant proposal.

Interested in joining the Green Grants committee? Email green.grants@nyu.edu to learn more.