Now accepting Eco-Rep applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible:

• Student Eco-Rep

• Student Eco-Rep Coordinator

   

Each year, a cohort of 10-20 Penn sophomores, juniors, and seniors are selected to participate in the Eco-Reps program. Students meet weekly with staff in Penn’s Sustainability Office and work in small teams throughout the year to develop in-depth projects aimed at solving environmental challenges on campus. Initiatives may focus on topics ranging from energy conservation, waste and recycling, water conservation, academic initiatives, local food systems, environmental literacy, and more.

All of Eco-Reps projects involve a strong hands-on component and focus on creating solutions through analyzing the current problem, developing small-scale pilots, and then focusing on broader implementation. Students are asked to bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of willingness and motivation to each project in order to help them succeed.

The Eco-Reps program is organized by Penn’s Sustainability Office within the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services.

Please reach out to sustainability@upenn.edu with any questions.

Get Involved

All students are welcome to submit their application to become a SAGE member by filling out this this form. A PSO staff member or SAGE representative will follow up with more information about membership. Thank you for your interest in SAGE and commitment to advancing sustainability efforts at Penn.

About the Green Fund

Penn’s Green Fund welcomes ideas from students, faculty, and staff about ways to improve the University’s environmental performance and reduce campus emissions. Since 2009, this initiative of the Penn Sustainability Office, funded by the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services, has seeded innovative ideas in environmental sustainability from members of the University community.

Proposed projects must support goals and objectives outlined in Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0, a long-range strategy, launched in 2009 and updated in 2014, 2019, and 2024, to reduce the University’s carbon footprint and enhance its overall sustainability.

Green Fund Details

Below is a general overview of the Green Fund application guidelines. Additionally, it is recommended that all prospective applicants read the FAQs before submitting an application.

There is no minimum award for a Green Fund application and the maximum award is $30,000.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed monthly by the Green Fund Review Committee. Typically, a maximum of two applications are reviewed each month. Upon submitting your application, you will be notified of your project's estimated review date.

Applicants requesting over $10,000 will be required to present their proposal to the Green Fund Review Committee. Applications of this size will likely take more than one month for review and approval.

Applying to the Green Fund

Proposal Criteria

Penn’s Green Fund accepts applications from all current students, faculty, and staff. The Green Fund is intended to provide financial support for projects that would otherwise not be implemented and that support the University’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0 objectives. Awards are not permitted to fund on-going costs or wages.

Prerequisites

The following items are prerequisites to initial review that must be included in your application:

• Description – Provide a detailed project description, including, but not limited to, goals, intended outcomes, criteria for evaluating success, and target audiences. If applicable, include an explanation of any additional, independent funding secured.
• CSAP 4.0 – Describe how the project supports the goals of Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0.
• Budget – Provide a detailed budget for the funding received from the Green Fund. If applicable, include any expected returns on investment and other cost benefits.
• Timeline – Provide a project timeline, including a detailed implementation schedule.
• Team – Detail roles and responsibilities of project participants and leadership. If applicable, include any team succession plans.
• Endorsement– Include an endorsement letter expressing support from faculty member or administrator.

Additional Criteria

Preference will be given to projects that incorporate the following:

• Distinctiveness – Provide information on how this project demonstrates a unique idea with significant impact. Preference will be given to projects that have not yet been implemented in some capacity on campus, though applications that build off existing projects and provide significant additional benefits are also welcome. 
• Equity – Describe any benefits the project will have to the representation or experience of historically disadvantaged groups within Philadelphia and the Penn community. Preference will be given to projects with observable and measurable benefits to these groups.
• Replicability – Provide information on future replicability and/or scalability. Preference will be given to projects that are replicable at a larger scale.
  Email applications to sustainability@upenn.edu using the subject “Green Fund Application.”

Reporting

Upon completion, Green Fund recipients are required to report to Penn Sustainability Office. Reporting requirements include:

• Within one month, a written report emailed to sustainability@upenn.edu using the subject “Green Fund Final Report – Project Name”.
• Projects exceeding $10,000 are required to present the results of a project to Penn Sustainability, the Green Fund Review Committee, the Vice President of Facilities and Real Estate Services, and other relevant parties.
• Reports and presentations should include the following information:
  • Project overview
  • Key stakeholders
  • Implementation procedures
  • Project results
  • Lessons learned and future recommendations
  • Any related articles or sources
  • Project photos

Application Support

Meeting with Penn Sustainability staff prior to submitting an application can be helpful to identify other University partners and to understand the types of projects the Green Fund supports. If you have an idea for a project, but you're not sure if it fits in with the scope of the Green Fund, or if you're looking for suggestions, guidance, or feedback, then schedule a time to meet with our staff by emailing sustainability@upenn.edu. 

Download Green Fund Application

Connect with Penn Sustainability

If you are a member of a student group and would like to collaborate with Penn Sustainability in some way, please email sustainability@upenn.edu. 

Student groups hosting events for the general student body on campus can add events to the Penn Sustainability calendar by completing the event submissions form. Please note, it can take 1-2 business days to approve an event for posting.