Campus Sustainability Council

Mission Statement

The role of the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC) is to provide funding to registered UCSC student organizations for programs and events that create, implement, and monitor environmentally sound practices on campus as established in the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus. These organizations additionally facilitate greater collaboration between students, the administration, staff, faculty, and the community.

Winter 2026 Funding Application Process A is NOW OPEN!

Application period:

  • Opens: Monday, November 17, 2025 at 8am

  • Closes: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 by 5 PM

We’ve made important updates to the grant application process, so please take a moment to review the new guidelines before applying. If you have any questions, reach out to us at csc2003@ucsc.edu, we’re happy to help!

The Campus Sustainability Council is excited to announce that Winter 2026 funding applications for Process A will be opening, marking the first time in several years that application for Process A grants have been offered during the winter quarter. Additional opportunities for both Application A and Application B will also be available in Spring 2026.

CSC Grant Process A: Winter 2026 Application

  • CSC Evaluation Process A

    For applicants who have applied in previous years: All recipients of CSC grants are required to complete an evaluation at the end of the year or upon finishing their grant project(s). This evaluation helps ensure accountability to the student body that contributes to the CSC fund and supports sustainability organizations by highlighting and sharing key lessons learned.

    CSC Evaluation Process A: FY2025-2026

  • CSC Itemized Expenditure Report

    The CSC Evaluation Process A form will ask you to attach your itemized expenditure report.

    Please download and complete the PDF, then attach it to the evaluation form.

    CSC Itemized Expenditure Report

  • CSC Itemized Project Budget Template

    Please download this budget template and upload your filled out copy to the CSC Grant Application Process A: Winter 2026 Google Form.

    Itemized budgets must include a breakdown by item/service, quantity/time, cost per, and estimated cost. Be specific and provide researched estimates. For services/performers/speakers, please list length of time as “Quantity.”

    CSC Itemized Project Budget Template

Applicant Qualifications

The Campus Sustainability Council shall only fund a group of students registered under SOAR, Student Media, OPERS, a college, or a department. Additional groups may be funded on a case-by-case basis at the present council’s discretion. The CSC shall define a registered student organization as a group of students that meet the following:

  • A group of a minimum of four undergraduate students that demonstrate a high level of governance over their project implementation,

  • A clear internal structure of meeting times and locations, student positions, and responsibilities for the organization's membership regarding campus fiscal procedures,

  • Regular meetings sufficient to facilitate informed member participation in decisions,

  • A UCSC unit that agrees to serve as the sponsor and administrator of the organization's funds that understands and is accountable to the responsibilities of the position,

  • An updated document on file with the sponsoring unit that describes clear goals and objectives for the organization, its membership, decision-making processes, amendments, and the election/selection procedures of authorized representatives,

  • Students must remain the primary source of innovation, direction, and implementation of all projects.

  • Relevancy to the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus 

This discretionary funding is possible under the language of the ballot measure, specifically: “The CSC shall have full and sole decision-making power over all funding allocation and programming decisions so long as those decisions are consistent with SUA and University policy and the law.”

CSC Funding Guide: Choosing Between Process A and Process B

Process A – Small Projects / Events

Purpose:
Supports one-time events or short-term initiatives (1–2 days) with modest budgets.

Examples:

  • Hosting a speaker or educational event

  • Purchasing zero-waste supplies or educational displays

Budget Limit:
Less than $5,000

Exclusions:

  • Projects longer than 1–2 days

  • Ongoing operations or paid positions

Requirements & Guidelines:

  • Must be a registered UCSC student org with at least 1 year of experience

  • Funds must align strictly with approved budgets

  • Must include a university financial sponsor

  • Projects should emphasize diversity and inclusion

  • Travel funding is deprioritized unless it benefits the broader UCSC community

  • No funding for infrastructure, staff/faculty projects, or off-campus events

Evaluation Priority:
Projects showing leadership, innovation, sustainability, and environmental justice impact

Process B – Large Events or Ongoing Projects

Purpose:
Supports sustained programs, resources, or services that may include paid student positions or ongoing costs.

Examples:

  • Internships or paid roles for sustainability work

  • Campus services or programs operating across quarters

Budget Range:
Over $5,000

Exclusions:

  • Campus infrastructure costs (buildings/grounds)

  • Staff/faculty-led or off-campus initiatives

Additional Requirements (beyond Process A):

  • Must maintain an accessible and separate project budget

  • Staff confirmation required for projects that impact campus facilities

  • For paid positions, must include:

    • Job descriptions

    • Rate, hours, and payment method

    • Hiring, training, and accountability processes

  • Must show a plan for continuity beyond the current academic year

Evaluation Priority:
Same as Process A, leadership, innovation, sustainability but with added emphasis on capacity-building and operational sustainability

Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus

The Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus is a multi-use, living document that strives to encompass the current visions of students, faculty, staff, and community members that have come together to share their ideas and goals for the future of UCSC at the annual Campus Earth Summit event. This document is meant to serve as a launching point for students to create meaningful, collaborative projects on campus that inspire lasting change. The Blueprint also acts as a guide for student organizations interested in receiving funding from the Campus Sustainability Council for the upcoming school year. While the Blueprint reflects no commitments from the administration, the process through which it is compiled displays multiple points of collaboration throughout the campus and community.

Link to the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus

  • Student groups eligible for funding by the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC) must be registered under SOAR, Student Media, OPERS, a college, or a department. Additionally, the CSC may fund other groups on a case-by-case basis at their discretion.

    • Apply under Process A if your project is a small, one-time event or educational activity under $5,000.

    • Apply under Process B if your project is large-scale, ongoing, involves paid positions, or exceeds $5,000.

    Both require strong alignment with CSC’s goals of student leadership, innovation, sustainability, and inclusion, as well as compliance with UCSC policies and financial oversight.

    Most importantly, students must be the main drivers of innovation and implementation.

    • Review the Updated Application: The CSC grant application process has been updated, so even if you’ve applied in previous years, you should carefully review the new guidelines and requirements.

    • Prepare Your Application: Submit your grant application by the deadline. Be sure to include all required information, such as your project proposal, budget, timeline, and how your project aligns with the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus.

    • Ensure Eligibility: Make sure your group is either:

      • Registered under SOAR, Student Media, OPERS, a college, or a department,
        OR

      • Meets CSC’s definition of a registered student organization and obtains discretionary approval if you're outside those listed units.

    • Evaluation Requirement: If you’re a recurring applicant and have previously received CSC funding, you must complete a project evaluation at the end of your funded project or by the end of the academic year. This evaluation helps demonstrate accountability and shares important insights with the campus sustainability community.

    • Questions?: If anything is unclear or you need help, you’re encouraged to reach out to the CSC at csc2003@ucsc.edu.