Center grants support faculty - either through project support or curriculum development - to engage students in sustainability and environmental inquiry. Applications from all disciplines are encouraged.
Awards generally range from $200-$3,000 depending on the funding source. Topics qualifying for funding are announced as part of the request for proposals and usually include water, fire, technology and general field studies.
A request for proposals is released at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, Announcements are sent out via email and posted to News and Calendar of Events. To receive a personal email announcement or get help scoping a project, contact Center Director, Dr. Claudia Luke.
Funding Requirements
Applicants must be a faculty member (including lecturers) at SSU. Preference is given to applicants working with community partners.
- Students are required to present their results at the SSU Research and Creativity Symposium in April of each year at the SSU Student Center.
- Presentations and project data must be submitted for posting to the Center for Environmental Inquiry for posting to the Search Projects page.
- Students must be willing to talk about their work at one of the Center's community outreach events.
- Students must respond to an on-line survey describing their experiences.
Funders
Stephen Norwick Memorial Research Grant
Dr. Stephen Norwick loved inquiry and discovery. His life was devoted to engaging students in field endeavors in geology, philosophy, art and music, and he set hundreds of students on career paths in ecology, environmental sciences, urban planning and teaching. Steve’s family and friends established the Norwick Memorial Fund to ensure that his love of field investigation continues to inspire students. Grants are available to faculty in all disciplines. Please consider a donation to this program. 
- How to Apply: Respond to the call for proposals issued once each year at the beginning of the fall semester (September).
- Who Should Apply: Faculty from all disicplines interested in engaging undergraduates in field inquiry experiences in Sonoma County
- Grant Details: Five $1,000 awards are available each year. Funds must be used to engage students in a project in Sonoma County with a field component. Preference is given to projects at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve
WATERS Collaborative
Grants support faculty to engage students in active learning projects surrounding water issues. The program is funded by Sonoma Water through the WATERS Collaborative.
- How to Apply: Respond to the call for proposals at the beginning of fall and spring semesters (September and February).
- Who Should Apply: SSU faculty and staff in all disciplines interested in engaging undergraduates and graduate students in field research experiences that target watershed management challenges.
- Grant Details: A total of $4,500 is available each semester ($9,000 total). Awards range from $200-$2,000 per project. Proposed projects must address water-related issues in the Russian River Watershed.
Sustainability in the Classroom Grants
Grants support curriculum development that engages students in original inquiry into water-related issues. The program is funded by Sonoma Water through the WATERS Collaborative.
- How to Apply: Respond to the call for proposal at the beginning of the spring semester (February)
- Who Should Apply: SSU faculty in all disciplines interested in revising curriculum to engage students in real-world challenges surrounding water
- Grant Details: One $3,000 award is available each year to faculty interested in developing watershed-related service-learning projects in their courses.