The impact that humans have on planet Earth is a critical concern for everyone. Decisions taken now can make a sustainable future possible with innovation and new ideas providing the raw material for change. I truly believe that McGill has some of the brightest minds among our student body. Experience is also required to implement new ideas effectively. How do you gain experience? By doing.
Each year, McGill hosts the Sustainability Projects Fund (SPF), the largest fund of its kind in Canada. Valued at $1 million, the SPF’s mandate is to build a culture of sustainability on McGill campuses through the development and seed-funding of interdisciplinary projects. The fund creates opportunities for the McGill community to actively engage in sustainability initiatives on campus, empowering individuals to gain experience and initiate change in their own studying and work environment.
The SPF was established in 2009 as the result of student advocacy—a perfect example of a student-led initiative that came to life to inspire others. At the heart of the fund is student-staff collaboration. The fund is supported by a student fee of $0.55 per credit that is matched dollar-for-dollar by the University. There have been more than 250 sustainability projects funded since the SPF’s creation, 86% of which were collaborations between students and staff or faculty.
Any current McGill student, staff, or faculty member can apply for funding for their project, big or small, through one of four paths: Tiny Stream (under $300), projects under $5,000, projects over $5,000, and Big Wave (over $100,000). No matter the size of the project, it must take place on a McGill campus, be sustainability-focused and managed sustainably, involve and benefit the McGill community, and have a reasonable budget.
Whether you’re looking for money to host a sustainability-themed event, create a green wall on campus, or start your own on-campus bulk store, the SPF is there to support you.