Sustainability Fund

NC State students began contributing a sustainability fee each semester in the fall 2013 following a student-led campaign. The fee is currently assessed at $2.50 per semester and generates approximately $155,000 per year for the Sustainability Fund.

A student-led board manages the fund, which offers competitive grants for campus sustainability projects that create high-impact experiences for the student body and improve the sustainability of NC State’s campus and community in a visible and engaging way. The global Sustainable Development Goals highlight the various areas that Sustainability Fund Grant Projects might address.

Project Grants

The Sustainability Fund offers Project Grants to NC State students, faculty and staff with a specific project idea, such as a campus facility improvement, educational program, research project or student internship opportunity. There is no set award amount for Project Grants.

The Sustainability Fund is specifically looking for those projects that help advance the goals of the university’s Sustainability Strategic Plan and result in high-impact experiences.

There are two application cycles for the Sustainability Fund:

1. FastTrack Grants

FastTrack Grants (applications closed Nov. 19, 2023) are for the current academic year and are specifically directed to students and registered student organizations for projects that will start and be completed in the spring semester. Learn more about the projects selected for the 2024 FastTrack Grant Cycle here.

2. Normal Grants

Normal Grants are open to the entire NC State campus community, including students, staff, organizations and departments. These projects will receive funding for projects implemented in the 2024-2025 academic year. The Normal Grant Cycle closed Feb. 1, 2024. Applications are under review and awards will be announced in April 2024.

Please direct questions for more information regarding these events to sfab-sustainabilityfund@ncsu.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Sustainability Fund is specifically looking for projects that help advance university sustainability goals and result in high-impact experiences for students, faculty and staff. The global Sustainable Development Goals highlight the various areas that Sustainability Fund Grant Projects might address.

Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fund Advisory Board

The Sustainability Fund Advisory Board manages the fund with the oversight of the University Sustainability Office. Operating under a constitution and bylaws, the student-led board consists of 10 voting members, which include an interdisciplinary group of NC State students, faculty, and staff. If you have questions, please email the Fund Advisory Board Chair at sfab-sustainabilityfund@ncsu.edu. The Board’s responsibilities include:

  • Review Project Grant proposals and identify recipients in line with available funding and the university’s sustainability priorities.
  • Assist potential project teams and student organizations with the development of their idea into a solid proposal by offering help sessions and connecting potential projects with past projects that have demonstrated success.
  • Administer the finances of the sustainability student fee assessed as a part of tuition each semester.
  • Set the dates, guidelines and requirements for the funding programs.
  • Monitor the progress of projects and assess the long-term impact of projects.
  • Document the impact of the Fund and communicate the effectiveness of the Sustainability Fund on an annual basis.
  • Participate in marketing and outreach activities for the Sustainability Fund.
  • Promote Sustainability Fund projects through social media and university communications.
  • Participate in an annual review the student fee used to support the Fund with the University Budget Office.

The Sustainability Fund Advisory Board application for the 2023-2024 academic year is closed. Any questions regarding the application can be directed to sfab-sustainabilityfund@ncsu.edu.

ChairGrace Gould, undergraduate student, Environmental Engineering and Philosophy
Vice ChairZialliah Ascalon, undergraduate student, International Studies
Undergraduate Student RepresentativeKairavi Garde, undergraduate student, International Studies
Undergraduate Student RepresentativeNoell Boling, undergraduate student, Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Student RepresentativeRoch Guertin, undergraduate student, Chemical Engineering
Graduate Student RepresentativeVie Villafuerte, graduate student, Environmental Engineering
Faculty RepresentativeJeremiah Johnson, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Faculty RepresentativeJoe Sagues, Assitant Professor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Facilities Division RepresentativeDave Josephus, Landscape Architect, Facilities Division
Staff RepresentativeJulie Macialek, UA – Business Services Coordinator
Board AdvisorKeondra Jenkins, University Sustainability Office
Please direct questions regarding the Fund Advisory Board to sfab-sustainabilityfund@ncsu.edu.

Funded Projects