Sustainability Grants

Projects for Academic Year 2026 - 2027

The FIT President’s Sustainability Council is offering a total of $15,000 in funding to support projects that promote sustainability at FIT through creative initiatives that infuse various aspects of sustainability into our college culture, curricula, and operations. Proposals are welcome from students, faculty, and staff (student projects must have a faculty/staff adviser).

Application Due: Monday, January 26, 2026
Approximate Date of Award Notification:  April 2026
Application:  Submit your application 

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.

2026-2027 Grant Details

The fund supports the development of a full range of potential sustainability efforts at FIT.  For the 2026-2027 grant cycle, the Council is encouraging proposals with the following foci: Circularity, Environmental and Social Justice, and Innovation. 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 2026 - Spring 2027

  • January 26, 2026: Application Due. Please complete the grant application in accordance with the application guidelines, by the end of the day
  • February - March 2026:  Sustainability Council reviews grant proposals
  • April  2026: 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, 2026. Purchases made before July 1, 2026 will not be reimbursed. All recipients will have a budget orientation meeting at the beginning of the grant cycle
  • February  15, 2027: Tentative project completion date (project completion date is flexible)
  • March 15, 2027: Written report on the project outcome is due to the Sustainability council (or when project is completed)
  • April 2027: Project presented at FIT’s Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference (specific date to be determined; typically held in early April)
  • June 30, 2027: 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.