Students seeking funding for campus sustainability projects have a number of resources available to them. The following list is meant to provide students with a starting point for obtaining the funding they need to implement their ideas.
Sustainability-Focused Funding Sources
Rice Environmental Society (RES) Funds
RES offers funding for student initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of our campus.
Rice University EcoReps Funds
Housing and Dining allocates $1000 worth of "green funds" for each residential college to use for sustainability-focused projects. Please contact your college's EcoRep for details.
Office of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability provides occasional micro-grants for sustainability projects. Students should contact Richard Johnson at sustainability@rice.edu to discuss specific requests.
Student Activities Grants
Community Service Grant
This fund allocates money for community service projects to registered student organizations. The primary purpose is to provide operating budgets for the community projects of student service organizations advised by the Community Involvement Center (such as Habitat for Humanity, Best Buddies, and Amnesty International), but funding is also available for one-time projects conducted by other student organizations. There are two application deadlines each academic year, one in the fall semester (mid-September) and one in the spring semester (mid-January). For more information, contact a staff member at the Community Involvement Center at 713-348-4970.
Hilda and Hershel Rich Family Endowment for Student Community Service
The purpose of this fund is to support student engagement with societal issues through a multi-faceted approach, including both individual and group activities, through volunteerism, internships, research projects, and other relevant activities. The projects are intended to make a distinctive impact upon society, raise awareness among the Rice community, and foster and encourage leadership and creativity among Rice students. Any Rice undergraduate or graduate student is eligible to apply. There are two application deadlines each academic year, one in the fall semester (late October) and one in the spring semester (mid March). For more information, contact a staff member at the Community Involvement Center at 713-348-4970.
Dr. Bill Wilson Student Initiative Grant
The grant provides support for an innovative or entrepreneurial student project to improve student activities or campus life. In particular, this grant hopes to improve the infrastructure for undergraduate activities. Awards are normally between $500 - $5,000 each. The money can be used for any worthwhile student project, however, salaries and/or travel will not be supported. Proposals are due on a date to be determined each fall. Any Rice student may submit a proposal. Proposals can be sent to the College Coordinator, Wiess College, MS-738.
Envision Grant
Awarded proposals promote service, foster leadership development, demonstrate creativity, and plan for sustainability. Projects are not restricted to efforts on campus and can benefit a community of the student's choosing. Envision offers an avenue to fund individual projects. Students are encouraged to utilize the program as an opportunity to be visionary and bold. Student organizations are NOT eligible to apply for this fund. Contact Leadership Rice for more information
New Club Fund
New clubs on campus often have great ideas, inspiration, and the drive to make positive change for our campus and community but get stalled in their efforts to move forward because they lack funds to get started. Student Activities hopes to support these organizations by providing a New Club Fund that will support these groups. New Club Grants will be no more than $250. You may be asked to meet with staff from the Student Activities office prior to a decision being made about funding. Student Activities will inform you of the amount awarded after reviewing your information.
Student Activities President’s Programming Fund
Initially the Student Activities Fund was established by Rice students through blanket tax fees to support student-related programming of a cultural, educational, or otherwise valuable nature. The President’s Programming Fund was created to enhance this fund in the same spirit. The primary goal of this fund is to support annual events, help establish new events, and provide support for advertising that benefits the greater Rice community. This includes, but is not limited to, advertising expenses, cultural events, social events, speaker honoraria, etc. Registered student organizations, or individuals or groups sponsored by a registered student organization can apply. There are four deadlines for fund allocation each semester.