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.
Spring 2026: FY27 Grant Application Process A & B Now Open!
Application period:
Opens: Monday, March 30th 2026 at 8am
Closes: Sunday, April 26th 2026 by 5pm
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!
This grant cycle supports events and programming during the next academic year, FY27, and applies to all three quarters for both Process A and Process B.
Important Documents & Forms
Select the process (A or B) that fits your proposal idea (see below).Read the requirements, guidelines, and application of the process you selected.Research your budget and answers to all application questions.Contact CSC if you have questions. We advise you to contact us before April 24th 2026 at csc@ucsc.edu so you have time to make adjustments.Submit your completed application by the deadline, Wednesday April 28th 2026. Submissions by this form only.Respond to emails from CSC within 24 hours between April 29th and May 30th, to answer any questions council members have.Receive CSC decisions by June 12th 2026.
Application Process
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 & 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.
Zero Waste Event Guide
The Student Environmental Center (SEC) created this Zero-Waste Event Planning Guide as a resource for all UC Santa Cruz students to host events that fulfill the needs of our community while also being conscious of our current waste crisis . Though UCSC has been attempting to reach their goals of being zero-waste since 2004, they have a long way to go, currently ranking ninth out of all ten UCs in the amount of waste they divert from the landfill . Now, more than ever, students are working towards making their events as sustainable as possible in order to ensure a zero-waste future at UCSC .
This guide breaks down the resources needed to create zero waste events into three parts: before the event, during the event, and after the event . Each part will detail different steps to take and resources to explore when planning the event . Keep in mind that this is a guide, not every step may be applicable or feasible in every event, but whatever steps students are able to take in reducing their waste is a step toward a more environmentally conscious 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,
ORMeets 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.
