Bieler School of Environment Experiential Learning Fund (BELF)

The Bieler School of Environment Experiential Learning Fund (BELF) provides versatile financial support for experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom that enhance student knowledge, practical skill development, or network-building in the field of environment.

The fund is designed to fund unique, one-off experiences that might otherwise be difficult to support through existing programs.

Eligible environmental training experiences could span basic or applied research fields (such as sustainable agriculture, urban design or conservation), policy, advocacy, or community outreach.

Examples of supported activities:

• attend environmental meetings or negotiations (such as United Nations Climate Change Conferences; COPs, or other environmental networking events at the Canadian, provincial, and local level)
• partake in national or international environment-related competitions (such as Climate Olympiads)

• contribute to environmental initiatives such as drafting or reviewing legislation

• travel and attend specialized trainings such as academic skills acquisition workshops, short courses, or seminars outside of McGill

• present Bieler School of Environment-related research (such as ENVR 401 projects) at conferences/meetings.
• For research projects: offset costs of research materials, supplies, or equipment, or travel to research sites. (Note: this does not include projects completed as part of McGill field semesters or regular course work). Please explain why these cannot be funded by other mechanisms

Other activities will also be considered (such as support for the student to run or develop a new program or initiative), provided that the applicant can justify how or why this experience is unique and valuable for their environmental training.

Non-Eligible funding

• Funds can not be used to pay salary/stipends, fund field studies semesters or tuition or education-related expenses at McGill University or other universities (except for specialized workshops as described above)
• Activities which contravene any legal statute;
• Expenditures for pleasure travel;

Environmental training opportunities awards are valued up to $2,000.

Projects are expected to be completed within the academic year applied.

Applicants must be current undergraduate Bieler School of Environment students during the grant period and be in good academic standing and must be enrolled post award and graduate students working with BSE jointly-appointed faculty.

Post-Award

Successful awardees will be required to submit a one-page report outlining what they gained from the experience no later than two months after it concludes. The report should begin with a one paragraph summary of the experience for publication in the Bieler School of Environment newsletter, which is distributed to Bieler School of Environment alumni, donors and friends. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling deadline and assessed at the beginning of every month.