PCCF Amplify Grant

A new opportunity for students, faculty and staff members to engage with climate action on campus.

The PCCF Amplify Grant builds upon the President’s Climate Commitment Fund’s mission to foster greater responsibility and leadership in addressing the ongoing climate crisis. Through this pilot program, students, faculty, and staff can apply for up to $5,000 of funding toward projects that seek to address climate change-related issues and inspire a larger culture shift in the campus community to actively engage in climate action within the College and beyond. Projects can be led by individuals or teams and focus on a wide range of climate-related topics, and should demonstrate an innovative approach and measurable impact.

The PCCF Amplify Grant is funded from the existing President’s Climate Commitment Fund, a discretionary fund that was established in 2012 by Jonathan E. B. Eddy '63 and Edith Twombly Eddy '64, in order to support activities that move Swarthmore College toward a more environmentally sustainable future. The mission of the PCCF includes support for projects that address, but are not limited to, the following areas: greenhouse gas emissions reductions; efficiency technologies; student summer opportunities; course development, workshops or speakers; other special projects to advance understanding of climate issues; and programs that promote sustainable lifestyles and practices.
 

How to Apply

• Applications for PCCF Amplify grants will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The selection committee will use the selection criteria outlined below to inform decisions, with the intention to notify applicants within 30 days of submission.
• The selection committee will be made up of Office of Sustainability staff, with consultation from other campus sustainability stakeholders. Please note, the selection committee may ask for additional information or adjustments to application prior to an award.
• Applications must include the application form and budget sheet. Additional letters of support  are required for those partnering with individuals, departments, or offices that are not included on the project team.
• To apply, please review application materials and submit completed materials to the form at the bottom of this page.

Eligibility

• This program is open to current Swarthmore students, faculty, and staff members.
• Applicants should expect to be enrolled or employed through the anticipated duration of project implementation.
• Applicants can apply as individuals or as teams. Teams can be made up of a combination of students, staff, and/or faculty. 
• Note: This grant is not in service of Swarthmore College and does not create an employment relationship between any student(s) and the College.

Selection Criteria

• Alignment with priorities of the President’s Climate Commitment Fund
  • Seeks to incorporate climate action and environmental sustainability into campus culture and/or relates to topics outlined in the mission of the PCCF.
• Supports the development of knowledge, skills and opportunities
  • Demonstrates a commitment to creating opportunities for the campus community to expand awareness, advance understanding, and develop skills related to topics of climate issues.
• Innovation and creativity
  • Creates new opportunities, connections, or processes and demonstrates an inventive or imaginative approach.
• Measurable and lasting impact
  • Demonstrates long term impact and outlines methods for measuring engagement and effectiveness.
• Quality and clarity of application
  • Clearly outlines funding request, goals, intended outcomes, process, timeline, and other project details.

Funding Criteria

• Funding will be commensurate with the scope of the project, with awards anticipated in the range of $100 to > $5,000 per year.
• Final total grant amount will be determined by selection committee based on application materials.
• There is no requirement to utilize the entire annual budget. Funds that are awarded or not utilized by grant recipients will remain in the PCCF. Grant funds will be kept under Office of Sustainability management, with purchases and reimbursements occurring as necessary, with proper approval.
• Funding requests should focus primarily on project expenses, such as implementation supplies, analytical costs, outreach or events costs, etc., rather than compensation for the project team. If the funding request includes living or transportation expenses, additional information may be required prior to an award.
• Funding cannot be awarded for projects completed prior to grant application.

Application Materials

• Application Form
• Budget Sheet
• Letters of support
  • Required for those partnering with individuals, departments, or offices that are not included on the project team.

For any questions, please contact Hannah Ulloa, climate action manager at hulloa1@swarthmore.edu.