Request for proposals
Introduction
Awards
Project Guidelines and Examples
Application Instructions and Process
Overview of Timeline
Project Deliverables
Proposal Criteria and Evaluation
Rating Scale
For More Information
Introduction
Do you have an inspired idea to make our university more sustainable?
We believe Portland State students don’t have to wait until graduation to change our world. Instead, they can start right here on our campus, a vibrant “living” laboratory where students can roll up their sleeves and work on sustainability at an approachable scale.
We want to turn your ideas into action. The Institute for Sustainable Solutions (ISS) at PSU is hosting the 2012 Solutions Generator, which will offer awards for up to 10 groups of students to design innovative solutions to pressing sustainability issues on campus, or in affiliation with community initiatives. The Solutions Generator provides an opportunity for students from varied disciplines and majors to form teams and collaborate with faculty, staff and community members to carry out projects. Undergraduate and graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate, regardless of level or degree program, as are students who have not previously received ISS funding.
Proposals should align with Portland State’s long-term vision to become an internationally recognized university known for excellence in solutions-focused research, learning and service. Student innovation continues to drive us on this path to success. This is your opportunity to contribute to a lasting legacy of sustainability innovation and action at PSU.
Awards
Each student involved in a proposal that is selected for funding will be given a Leadership Service Award of up to $1,000 that will be applied to the student’s PSU account. In addition, proposals selected for funding will be awarded up to $1,500 toward budgeted project expenses. There is a maximum of 5 students per group.
Award levels will be determined based on the potential impact of the proposed project, the amount of effort or commitment required, and the availability of funding. See also criteria and evaluation section below.
To receive the awards, undergraduates must have a 2.5 cumulative Portland State GPA and a 2.5 GPA each term that they receive an award. They must take and complete six Portland State undergraduate credits each term. Graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative Portland State GPA and a 3.0 GPA each term that they receive an award. They must take and complete five Portland State graduate credits each term.
Project Guidelines and Examples
Proposals should provide opportunities for innovative educational activities and strive to build upon existing PSU sustainability initiatives. Examples include research and learning related to PSU’s Climate Action Plan goals, water use and quality, urban sustainability, waste reduction, energy conservation, and activities that contribute to PSU’s academic sustainability efforts. If projects require material purchases, proposals must demonstrate that the investment will enhance student learning or to help PSU operate in a more sustainable way.
The Campus Sustainability Office and Sustainability Leadership Center (SLC) are great resources for ongoing and priority projects you may consider as you prepare your proposal. These include:
- Integrating local food systems into campus dining options
- Energy and waste reduction in locations such as computer labs, campus retail partners or other sites
- Sustainability education campaigns
- Initiatives within Residence Life and on-campus housing
- Campus art that educates about sustainability
- Compiling current energy or storm water management profiles for the Ecodistrict
- Campus green space restoration
- Measuring water quality
- Film/video project profiling sustainability at PSU
- K-12 sustainability education in connection with PSU’s Cradle to Career initiative
- Integrating sustainability projects into existing or future academic courses
View the 2011 Solutions Generator awarded projects
(note for faculty: this year, faculty involvement will take the form of mentoring student projects. To get involved as a faculty mentor, or learn about other research funding opportunities, visit pdx.edu/sustainability/opportunities or contact the Institute for Sustainable Solutions.)
Application Instructions and Process
- Get started: Brainstorm projects and form a preliminary group
Projects must be initiated and submitted by enrolled students at Portland State University who meet minimum GPA requirements (see awards section). Community members, staff and faculty may be brought on as project partners. Interdisciplinary groups of 2-5 students are preferred, although single-person entries may also be considered. - Submit an abstract
Deadline: January 12
Use this online form to submit your project idea. If you did not make the deadline to submit an abstract, please contact the program coordinator at psueco@pdx.edu. - Attend one of two information and idea-generation sessions
November 29 from 2:30-4 p.m.
January 10, 2012, from 2-3:30 p.m.
These sessions offer the opportunity to brainstorm projects, learn about successful proposal writing and budget preparation, application guidelines, and integration with existing campus initiatives. One group member is required to attend and sign in at least one of these sessions. If this is not feasible, please contact the program coordinator at psueco@pdx.edu. - Submit a full proposal
Deadline for full proposals: January 20
After you submit an abstract, you can get to work on a full proposal (download pdf template here). The Solutions Generator Project Coordinator will work with groups to ensure that a relevant faculty mentor is on board for each project. - Solutions Generator initial presentation
February 15, 12-1:30 p.m.
Selected groups will share a brief presentation about their project goals for fellow students, faculty, staff and community members. - Project work and development
Final project deliverables due May 18, 2012
Students will implementation of their projects in the winter and spring 2012 terms, checking in periodically with their faculty mentor and project coordinator about progress. - Final Solutions Generator presentation
Teams will present project outcomes at the Annual Sustainability Celebration May 29.
Overview of Timeline
November 21: Request for proposals announced
November 29, 2:30 - 4 p.m.: First interest and idea generation session
January 10, 2 - 3:30 p.m.: Second interest and idea generation session
January 12: Deadline for project abstract
January 20: Final full proposals due
By February 6: Project awardees announced
February 8, 12 - 1 p.m.: Info session for groups not selected
February 15, 12-1:30 p.m.: Preliminary presentation of project goals by selected groups.
Winter/spring term: Project coordinator will meet with each group individually to solidify directions. Groups meet periodically with faculty mentors.
May 18: Final projects due.
May 29: Students present projects at Annual Sustainability Celebration.
Project Deliverables
Projects should have at least one specific deliverable such as a research paper, physical installation, video, or event.
In addition, a final poster and presentation is required at the Annual Sustainability Celebration May 29. Groups should include funds to print a final project poster as part of the proposal budget.
Finally, selected groups may be asked to submit their final projects for external presentations or outreach, such as the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Proposal Criteria and Evaluation
Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Relevance: Does the project align with PSU’s sustainability vision, research focal areas and/or Climate Action Plan goals? Does the project address multiple dimensions of sustainability (e.g. equity, ecology, economy)? Is the problem well defined?
- Robustness of the Team: Is the commitment of team members apparent and strong? Special consideration will be given to proposals that present innovative collaborations between varied disciplinary perspectives or majors, or with faculty, staff or community partners.
- Feasibility: Will the project produce its intended outcomes within the timeline and budget? Are deliverables clearly defined? Is the budget clear and complete?
- Longevity: Is there an ongoing benefit for campus or community beyond the life of the project? Does it contribute toward replicable, scalable or successive solutions? Is the solution innovative and/or grounded in relevant research?
- Leadership and Learning: Does the project propose pertinent learning goals for the group? Does the proposal reflect applicants’ commitment to their “place” at PSU? Does it lead to ongoing learning and leadership opportunities?
Rating Scale
Excellent: Outstanding proposal in all respects; deserves highest priority for support.
Very Good: High quality proposal in nearly all respects; should be supported if at all possible.
Good: A quality proposal worthy of support; should be funded if possible after supporting the categories listed above.
Needs further development: Project is not relevant; it lacks concrete deliverables, adequate budget or collaborative considerations. Consider revising and submitting again next year.
For More Information
Questions? Want help brainstorming? We encourage you to email the project coordinator at at psueco@pdx.edu with your proposal ideas and inquiries.
