Campus as a Laboratory for Sustainability Funding Available

The Syracuse University Campus as a Laboratory for Sustainability (CALS) program is offering up to $75,000 for faculty or student projects that advance the University’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, directly or indirectly, or through raising awareness on campus about climate disruption and environmental sustainability. Funds will become available May 16, 2022. Syracuse University faculty and students from any discipline can apply.

The next round of funding is available for projects undertaken between May 16, 2022, through June 30, 2023. All proposals must clearly address how the projects relates to climate disruption, and all must include outreach or educational activities that promote awareness of sustainability-related issues on the Syracuse University campus. Projects may include (but are not limited to) faculty or student research, applied research, campus infrastructure or landscape projects, outreach campaigns, service projects or course development.

Two projects were awarded funding in April 2021:

• Assessment of the Ecological and Engineering Services of the Established, Extensive Green Roof at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, Professor Svetoslava Todrova, $24,997
• Development of Advanced Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems for Nitrogen Oxide Mitigation During Hydrocarbon Combustion, Thomas Welles,Ph.D. candidate in mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, $25,000

Todorova, professor of practice in civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, submitted the grant to study the green roof at the Syracuse Center of Excellence.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring students and faculty from engineering, urban planning, construction management and public health to study the long-term performance of the green roof at the Center of Excellence,” she says.  “The team will focus on the hydrological and water quality function of the roof, its ecological adaptation and impact on the building systems, visitors,and occupants. Understanding the long-term performance of green roofs is vital to the success of the technology in urban areas. Using one of our facilities on campus, the green roof at the Center of Excellence, allows us to develop a demonstration project, engage the campus community and foster new ways of interdisciplinary learning.”

 The Syracuse University Climate Action Plan, which was released in 2009, is providing the competitive funding as part of the CALS program, overseen by a team of faculty and staff from across the University. The program merges academic scholarships with the University’s broad initiative to meet energy efficiency goals, while having faculty and students use the Syracuse University campus as a testbed for innovative ideas.

“The grant winners are instrumental in facilitating the University with research and educational programs that are instrumental in helping us with our carbon neutral goals,” says Melissa Cadwell, sustainability coordinator. “What makes this grant the perfect campus as a lab grant is our students and faculty are using the University as a test bed with their innovation and education awarded funding. Additionally, being able to work with the students and professors has created a stronger working relationship with Sustainability Management and the campus community.”

The Call for Proposals, budget template and application materials can be found here. The deadline for submission of proposals is midnight on March 16, 2022.