Sustainability Workshops: Call for Proposals
Applications Due: May 6, 2025
Event Deadline: June 30, 2026
The Rice Sustainability Institute invites proposals to support new or expanded sustainability workshops scheduled for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. These faculty-led initiatives should bring bold ideas into the public sphere, support sustainability solutions, and foster collaboration.
Important Information
- Applicants must indicate a preference for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.
- Awards will be balanced between semesters.
Proposal Deadline: May 6, 2025
Award Announcement: June 2025
Eligibility
- Open to full-time tenure-track or tenured Rice University faculty only.
Funding & Collaboration
- Maximum funding: $20,000
- Proposals involving faculty from two or more schools are strongly encouraged.
- Matching funds from internal or external sources are encouraged but not required.
- Funds cannot be used for faculty salary, subcontracts, research equipment, or teaching release.
- Workshops focused on curriculum development or teaching methods are not eligible.
Event Support & Logistics
SI can provide:
- Webpage and registration setup
- Event calendar listing
- Social media promotion
- Recommendations for venues, catering, and lodging
Applicants are responsible for managing:
- Hotel bookings, AV setup, venue coordination
- Registration tracking and abstract submission
- Name tags, materials, and on-site logistics
Faculty may include funding for Rice's Interdisciplinary Research Support Office (IRSO) at $2,500 per 100 attendees.
Review Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by the SI Governing Board based on:
- Potential to increase Rice’s public visibility in sustainability
- Support for team formation for future research proposals
- Development of white papers on key sustainability topics
- Building partnerships with external stakeholders (NGOs, industry, government, etc.)
Proposal Requirements
Please submit a single PDF document to si@rice.edu including:
- Workshop title, date, and proposed location
- Faculty leads (name, contact info, department, and school)
- Workshop description, including:
- Topics and potential speakers
- Target audiences (e.g., nonprofits, community stakeholders, industry)
- Tentative schedule
- ~500-word summary of background and goals
- ~250-word summary of expected outcomes
- One-page budget detailing:
- Requested use of funds
- Other supporting funding sources
- Staffing/logistics support if applicable
- Preferred semester (Fall 2025 or Spring 2026)
- Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages per applicant)
- Logistics support plan:
- Paragraph outlining your plan
- Confirmation of internal support and cost (if applicable)
Award Requirement
A final report summarizing outcomes and audience engagement is required within one month of the event.
Contact: si@rice.edu