Sustainability@UIC

Green Fee funding for student projects!

2014-02-12T09:06:00.002-06:00

Request for Proposals for Funding by the UIC Green Fee

Letter of Inquiry Deadline: February 21, 2014

Final Proposal Deadline: April 18, 2014

The Green Fee Advisory Board (GFAB) is currently accepting student proposals for Spring 2014. Approximately $30,000 is available to support proposals that help to establish a sustainable campus environment by expanding such areas as composting, landscaping, and transportation initiatives while also reducing waste and conserving resources. Funding proposals must address the three pillars of sustainability - environmental protection, social equity, and economic benefit - and align with the goals of the UIC Climate Action Plan.

Who can apply: All UIC students and student organizations are eligible to apply. If needed, the GFAB will help provide access to campus resources and personnel to approve projects. GFAB can also suggest other entities that may provide funding or other assistance.

Application process: Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) by February 21, 2014. Following the review of LOIs, the board will notify all applicants via email by the end of February if they have been selected to submit a full proposal. Full proposals must be submitted by Friday, April 18, 2014. Grantees will be notified by the end of the spring semester. The board reserves the right to issue a second call or directly invite one or more proposals of interest. For questions regarding the guidelines and the application, please contact UICGFAB@uic.edu or visit the website here: http://www.uic.edu/sustainability/greenfee/index.html

LETTER OF INQUIRY

The Letter of Inquiry allows the GFAB to pre-screen proposals for appropriateness and feasibility. LOIs should be a maximum of two, single-spaced pages and should describe the project, its appropriateness and campus impact. Furthermore, it should provide a rough estimate of the breakdown and total cost of the project, including expected completion and cost savings, if any. Projects that pass this stage will be invited to prepare a complete proposal for consideration by the board. The Letter of Inquiry form can be found here: https://uofi.uic.edu/fb/sec/3851863

Funding Criteria

In addition to the quality and completeness of the proposal, the board will evaluate projects based on the following criteria:

● High visibility and educational exposure on campus

● High level of student involvement or employment

● Long-term cost benefits

● Interdisciplinary collaboration and research

● Incorporation of the three pillars of sustainability - environmental protection, social equality, and economic benefit

Additional aspects of project that can add value:

● Indirect energy impact

● Budget effectiveness, cost sharing, and leverage of external funds

● Likelihood for success

● Creativity

● Education and outreach

Project Rules & Restrictions

Funding will not be given to projects that are fundamentally for research purposes only. Projects with a research component, however, will be fully considered.
Funding is subject to any University restrictions including bidding process and site approval.
All funding recommendations made by GFAB must be approved by the Office of Student Affairs and Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Administrative Services.
If the proposal is approved for funding, the board is permitted to post the entire proposal on its website, and/or publicly disseminate any and all information pertaining to the proposal.
Quarterly status reports and account statements detailing spending of awarded funds will be required until the completion of the project. Additionally, a comprehensive final report is required on project completion, a case study prepared for the NWF Campus Ecology Program (if appropriate), and a project presentation carried out (if appropriate).
The entity carrying out the project is expected to acknowledge the board’s support in any public communications, and carry out activities, as appropriate, to publicize the project and the board’s support.
All projects are required to be completed by December 2015. Exceptions are possible at the board’s discretion.
A member of the board will be assigned to track the project until completion.
Any changes in scope, timeline, or budget must be approved by GFAB.
GFAB funding can be withdrawn in cases of change of scope, inadequate progress, or lack of communication.

Douglas Hall PV System

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

On August 24, 2011, the new and improved Douglas Hall was introduced by the UIC family. Also known as the College of Business Administration's home base, the building has been drastically improved both in interior and exterior. Besides the many student exchange areas, classrooms, and other renovations, it is what has been done "underneath the hood" that stands out at Douglas Hall.

The building is on the path to being UIC's second LEED certified building, with an official announcement to be made by mid-2012. In addition to the light, water, and space conservation in the building, Douglas Hall has a unique Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system in place on the building rooftop. The PV array is unique because it uses microinverter technology to optimize the production of electricity from the panels. Think of it like a string of modern holiday lights - if one bulb goes out, all the other lights don't.

Partially funded by a generous grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, the PV system allows the solar panels on building to convert the solar radiation gathered into direct current electricity. Douglas Hall contains 261 solar panels mounted on ballasted racks. With a rated capacity of 54.81 kW, this PV system is expected to generate 67,000kWH of electricity annually, or approximately 8% of the building's needs.

As a student, I see as the PV system on Douglas Hall to be a trendsetter. I remember reading the Chicago Flame before renovations were complete about the upcoming renovations in Douglas Hall; however, I never actually understood the direct impact that this would have. As UIC begins to renovate other buildings around campus, the PV system will be looked on as innovative technology for the UIC community. In both the short and long run, the PV system allows energy to be made from natural sources - less and less harsh environmental impacts will be made by UIC. The PV system reaffirms to the world: UIC is a leading example of education and sustainability successfully joining forces.

To learn more about the additions in Douglas Hall, please go here.
For more information on PV systems, please go here.

Also, check out a video about Douglas Hall and the PV system:

Clean Energy Challenge - $100k prizes

2011-10-17T17:12:00.001-05:00

Are you a graduate student? Do you and your friends have a great idea in your heads that'll make the world a better place? There is a new opportunity to make that idea happen with funding provided from The Clean Energy Trust!

Who: The Clean Energy Trust, an organization in Chicago that is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start businesses in clean energy.

What: The Clean Energy Challenge student competition - student entrants will present business plans before a panel of judges and the winning teams will split a $100k prize to assist them in realizing their business plans.

When: The informational session is this Wednesday, October 19th from 4 - 6 P.M. Please RSVP to info@cleanenergytrust.org

Where: IIT Idea Lab

3440 South Dearborn
Idea Shop, Suite 050
Chicago, Illinois 60616

Extra: UIC professors are also encouraged to attend this event to meet with other area businesses, entrepreneurs, and academics from other Chicago-based institutions.

Lindbergh Foundation (June 10, 2010)

2010-05-10T15:32:00.002-05:00

If you have an idea for a research or educational project that will contribute to a balance between technology and environmental preservation, you may want to apply for a Lindbergh Grant or refer us to a friend who does. Awards are $10,580.
Citizens of all countries are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted in the English language. The Foundation welcomes candidates who may or may not be affiliated with an academic, non-profit or for-profit organization. Candidates for grants are not required to hold any graduate or post-graduate academic degrees. Learn more.

Chancellor's Discovery Fund for Multidisciplinary Research

2010-02-10T13:15:00.000-06:00

The Chancellor and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research announced the second round of the Discovery Fund program, intended to support up to five new collaborations led by emerging researchers at UIC. The purpose is to foster academic inquiry drawing on different disciplines, nurture careers, and help leverage extramural funding. Awards will be up to $30,000 over 2 years. Letters of intent due Feb. 24, applications March 31. More.

Green Works Green Heroes (Due Feb. 19, 2010)

2010-01-21T14:33:00.000-06:00

GREEN HEROES GRANT PROGRAM GIVES GREEN TO THOSE WHO DO GREEN.

The makers of Green Works® natural cleaners to award a total of $60,000 in grant funding to individuals, organizations and schools that are making their communities a greener place. Nominations are accepted through Facebook. Read more.