Summer Sustainability Research Grants

W&M Sustainability seeks applications and proposals for Summer Sustainability Research Grants every academic year. Sustainability as a subject is very broad and focused on interconnectedness, please review the W&M definition of sustainability to better align your project.

The Summer Sustainability Research Grants support a student’s close collaboration with William & Mary faculty and/or staff in researching sustainability-related issues. The grant is intended to provide the student with an opportunity to conduct creative research while advancing the university’s goals of sustainability. The nature of the student’s research experience will vary considerably from one project to another; however, in all cases, it is crucial that the student’s role go significantly beyond mechanical tasks such as data entry, photocopying, or library errands, though it may, of course, include tasks of this nature.

To learn more about how to apply, watch the info session.

Grant Specifics

Funding up to a maximum of $7,348

$3,500 student scholarship
Up to $1,500 research support (line-itemed budget required)
$1,848 housing allowance
$500 advisor funding

Eligibility

All students of W&M, any major or school: undergraduate, graduate and professional students.
Applicant must be a continuing student (i.e. signed up for classes the following fall).
The project must be advised by a W&M employee, faculty or staff.
Students of historically underrepresented areas are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Recipients will present their research at the Charles Center's Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Recipients will write a blog post for W&M Blogs overviewing their research experience and findings that will be posted by W&M Sustainability. Blog posts can be submitted to [[sustain]].

Download the Summer Sustainability Research Cover Sheet

Summer Research Grant FAQs

What do I need to include in my application?
- Summer Sustainability Research Grant cover sheet
- 2-3 page research proposal (background, methods, connections to the social, economic, environmental lens of sustainability, and pandemic plan on if/how work can be done remotely.
- Line-item budget
- Applicant's transcript
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member familiar with the applicant's work, emailed directly from the faculty or staff member to [[sustain]]
What are the commitments for the grant?
The grant is meant to be a full-time commitment (8 weeks at 40 hours per week). Students must disclose any other summer commitments that may impact ability to fulfill the requirements of the Summer Research Grant.
Who should I approach to work with?
Students may approach any faculty or staff member with whom they want to work and whose research interests them. If you have any questions, please contact [[sustain]].
What happens if more than one student approaches the same faculty or staff member?
If more than one student approaches a faculty or staff member, the faculty or staff member must select one student to advise in the grant process.
Can I use someone else's work to apply for the grant?
No. The project proposal must be the applicant’s own work but should be developed under the close guidance of the advisor.
What needs to be addressed in the application proposal?
The application and research proposals should advance sustainability at, and through, W&M. Those that address specific W&M Sustainability Plan and/or Climate Action Roadmap goals will be prioritized. Areas of individual interest are open and depend on the student’s expertise, skills and interests as well as those of the advisor.
Do I pay taxes on this funding?
We follow the same tax guidelines as the Charles Center.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [[sustain]].