PHILADELPHIA –- The fall 2012 application period is now open for Green Fund grant seekers at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn’s Green Campus Partnership is accepting applications through Oct. 31 for a seventh round of grants to support innovative green ideas from students, faculty and staff.

The proposed projects must be designed to help the University meet its sustainability goalsas outlined in the Climate Action Plan, a long-range strategy launched in 2009 to reduce Penn’s carbon footprint and enhance its overall sustainability.

Established in 2009 by the Green Campus Partnership and funded by the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services, the Green Fund will provide one-time grants of as much as $50,000 to the successful applicants. The Fund has spurred the development of more than 40 projects since its inception.

 In an effort to replenish the fund and make future awards possible, prospective grant-seekers should note that projects that realize financial savings to the University are expected to repay the award.

Among the most recent projects funded are a bike-share pilot program, ozone washing machines at Pottruck Fitness Center, a peer-reviewed undergraduate journal on sustainability, an environmental education kitchen at the Penn Women’s Center, digital shower-timer installation and a green-cleaning initiative for Housekeeping.

The Green Fund Review Committee is especially interested in applications from areas not yet significantly impacted by sustainability efforts.  Applicants are encouraged to email sustainability@upenn.edu well in advance of the deadline to arrange a time to discuss the proposed project and resolve any questions about the process.

Additional information and application criteria, guidelines and program FAQs are available here.