Green Apple Scheme

Apply for funding to run an initiative that connects the Sustainable Development Goals with educational experiences at the university.

As a signatory of the Sustainable Development Goals accord (SDGs) the university is committed to embedding Sustainable Development principles and experiences in the education it offers its students. The Green Apple Scheme supports staff and student-led initiatives to embed the SDGs in the curriculum and extra-curricular activities.

Available funding

The Green Apple Scheme provides short-term grants of £500-£1000. Funding is offered within the University's Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) budget and is available all year round, subject to availability.

Who can apply

Any members of academic or professional services staff may apply. This includes staff on fixed-term contracts, where the contract covers the period of the project. There are no minimum experience requirements. Students may apply but must have a member of staff as their mentor who will be responsible for the budget.

How the funding can be spent

Projects must show that they further student understanding of one or more aspects of sustainable development. This could be within formal curriculum, an interdisciplinary open unit, or extracurricular activities, for example as part of the university's annual Green Week. Projects engaging stakeholders beyond the university are also welcome, provided they show clear educational outcomes for the students involved.

For example:

  • Talks by external speakers on sustainable careers.
  • Creating a short video for students, briefing them on aspects of sustainable development relevant to their discipline.
  • The development of course materials for existing or new units, which embed aspects of sustainable development in them. Course materials (e.g. online resources) useful for multiple disciplines are particularly welcome.
  • Student-led outreach activities. For example, the creation and running of workshops for local schoolchildren.
  • Buying software, or other assets for use in the teaching of sustainable-development related content.
  • The organisation of interdisciplinary events for students and staff. To discuss and debate an aspect of sustainable development, this could include external speakers.
  • Review of an existing program on where and how sustainable development concepts could be integrated into it.

All allocated funds must be spent by 31 July of the following year.

Further information

We will favour projects which do one or more of the following:

  • Engage large numbers of students.
  • Have transformative potential for longer term changes of awareness and educational practice.
  • Include content and promotion of sustainable career options for students.

To apply for the funding   

You can expect to receive a response within four weeks of submission.