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.
