Sustainability Fund

Campus entities can apply to the UNM Sustainability Fund for projects that advance UNM’s sustainability objectives, as outlined in the Sustainability Strategic Plan.

Project Eligibility Criteria

  • Allowable Uses of the Sustainability Fund include:
    • Campus sustainability infrastructure in the areas of energy, water, land use, transportation, waste, and food/dining
    • Implementation of Sustainability Strategic Plan goals and actions
  • All proposed projects must demonstrate at least one of the following:
    • Quantifiable reduction in UNM energy use
    • Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
    • Reduction in water use
    • Cost savings or new revenue opportunities for UNM related to the Allowable Uses
    • Alignment with specific goals or targets in the UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan

Proposal & Evaluation Process

  • Campus units may submit project proposals via the University project intake portal and mark if they are requesting Sustainability Fund dollars under “Funding Source.”

  • In the Project Description field, proposals must provide: 

    • General project description 

    • Purpose, scope, and timeline of the proposed project

    • Description of how the project demonstrates at least one of the following: 

      ▪ Quantifiable reduction in UNM energy use 

      ▪ Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 

      ▪ Reduction in water use 

      ▪ Cost savings or new revenue opportunities for UNM  

      ▪ Alignment with specific goals or targets in the UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan 

    • A detailed project budget and justification for amount requested from the Sustainability Fund 

Apply to UNM Sustainability Fund

 

Evaluation and Reporting Requirements

  • Evaluation Priorities: Proposals will be reviewed by the Office of Sustainability and Facility Services, with priority given to those that demonstrate: 

    • High return on investment (financial or environmental) 

    • Institutional impact, including cross-campus or multi-unit benefits 

    • Scalability or replicability, offering potential for broader implementation

    • Equity (e.g., supporting all campus entities that contribute to the Sustainability Fund)

  • Individual Project Reporting: 

    • Upon project completion, the Office of Sustainability and Facility Services will request a report from each Sustainability Fund project that includes a summary of the funded project and preliminary and anticipated environmental performance metrics.