Sustainability Grants

Projects for Academic Year 2027 - 2028

The FIT President’s Sustainability Council is offering a total of $15,000 in funding to support educational projects, scholarly research, creative endeavors, and professional activities that help protect the environment, sustain resources, and/or enhance an understanding of sustainability on our campus and community. Proposals are welcome from FIT students, faculty, and staff (student projects must have a faculty/staff adviser).

Application Due: Monday, January 25, 2027

Approximate Date of Award Notification: May 2027
Application: Submit your application - Application Opening Soon

Grants are awarded up to $5,000 each, and the fund is administered by the Sustainability Council. Grantees may be asked to present at a Sustainability Council event (e.g., Sustainability Awareness Week, The Sustainable Business and Design Conference) and provide a progress report on how funds were used.

Grants Workshop (Virtual) 

The Sustainability Grant Workshop on December 9, 2026 from 1–2 pm will help faculty, staff, and students prepare strong applications for the President’s Sustainability Council Grants. Participants will learn what the grants fund, how to write clear narratives and budgets, and get practical tips and feedback to strengthen their proposals before submission.

Tuesday, December 9, 2026
1–2 pm
Virtual: (A link will be provided after you RSVP)
Please RSVP here

2027-2028 Grant Details

The fund supports the development of a full range of potential sustainability efforts at FIT.  Projects are accepted that look at these areas within sustainability, focus on student, faculty, and staff engagement, and provide opportunities that foster a sustainable future both at FIT and globally.  

Grant Awards

The fund’s annual budget is $15,000. The maximum grant awarded per project is $5,000, though smaller amounts may be requested. Please see examples of funded grants here. Please note that proposals can be authored and submitted by students, faculty, and staff.  

Administration of the Fund 

The Chair of the Sustainability Council administers the fund under the auspices of the Office of the President. The Sustainability Council Grants Subcommittee was established to review and support applications from across the college. All members of the Sustainability Council review proposals and make their recommendations for selection to the President for final selection.

It is highly recommended that grant writers consult with the Sustainability Council's Grant Committee. Please be sure to check in with the committee to review grant materials before your submission. 

Please contact the Sustainability Council Chair, Karen Pearson, at [email protected] with any other questions about the Sustainability Council Grants.

» Is your project eligible?  Does it meet the grant guidelines?

» Are you ready to apply? Learn more about the proposal requirements

Important Dates

Fund Year Fall 2027 - Spring 2028

  • January 25, 2027: Application Due. Please complete the grant application in accordance with the application guidelines, by the end of the day
  • February - March 2027:  Sustainability Council reviews grant proposals
  • May 2027: Grant awardees notified by email no later than May 30. Projects can begin as soon as awardees have been notified. NOTE: Purchases for goods and services may not begin until July 1, 2027. Purchases made before July 1, 2027  will not be reimbursed. 
  • February  15, 2028: Tentative project completion date (project completion date is flexible)
  • March 15, 2028: Written report on the project outcome is due to the Sustainability council (or when project is completed)
  • April 2028: Project presented at FIT’s Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference (specific date to be determined; typically held in early April)
  • June 30, 2028: Purchases of all goods and services, in accordance with the Sustainability Council’s Administrative Guidelines, must be completed.  

All recipients will have a budget orientation meeting at the beginning of the grant cycle.