Award Competitions
Welcome! We are excited to offer two incredible opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to turn their innovative ideas into reality: the "Seed Grants" and "Mini-Grants". Whether you have a groundbreaking research project, a community initiative, or an educational innovation in mind, these grant competitions provide the funding and support to bring your vision to life. Click on the links below to learn more about each program and how to apply for these grants, and take the first step toward transforming your ideas into impactful projects. Good luck on your journey to make a difference!
Seed Grants
In 2022, the Faculty Advisory Committee on Sustainability (FACS) initiated a partnership with the Academic Senate’s Committee on Research (COR), with support from the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, to offer additional funds to support seed grants for sustainability research. The goal was to promote UC Merced’s efforts to achieve sustainability by investing in research that supports investigating pathways to sustainability and/or implementing a concept that will help the world move toward sustainability. We aimed to support a portfolio of proposals that addressed the three pillars of sustainability — social, environmental, and economic justice — and aligned with the campus’s sustainability commitment to “advance and implement an integrated campus sustainability strategic plan that showcases by 2030 how knowledge is generated and applied to effect institutional and societal change toward a just and sustainable environment and society for all communities present and future.”
Funded Projects
Project Updates
Mini-Grants
The Faculty Advisory Committee on Sustainability (FACS) invites students, staff, and faculty groups to apply for financial support for sustainability-related events on campus (particularly those associated with Earth Day). Limited funds are available, and groups may request up to $300 of support. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so please apply as early as possible.
Applications will be evaluated based on their relevance to sustainability, their potential to reach across the UC Merced community, and their novelty. We will also aim to support a range of groups and events, especially those organized by undergraduate and graduate students.
To apply, please send the following to Dr. Bristin Jones (bjones34@ucmerced.edu):
A brief summary of (250 words about the event)
The expected attendance, including numbers of people and their UC Merced affiliations (e.g., undergraduate or graduate student, faculty, staff, community member)
The requested amount of funding
A brief budget, including how funds will be spent
Proposals due: before 5:00 pm, Wednesday 05th April 2022
Funded Projects
Project Updates
