Our Programs
Institute for Applied Sustainability
Faculty Fellowship
The Faculty Fellows Program supports SOU faculty in advancing sustainability-centered scholarship, teaching, and professional pursuits. Open to faculty from all disciplines, this program provides up to $20,000 in flexible funding to support innovative sustainability-centered or sustainability-related projects. Faculty Fellows are encouraged to explore creative approaches to sustainability, whether through research, curriculum development, community engagement, or interdisciplinary collaboration.
Fellows also become part of a dynamic community within the Institute for Applied Sustainability, fostering connections across disciplines and engaging in shared decision-making, professional development, and events that amplify the impact of their work. The program seeks to spark meaningful partnerships and long-term engagement with sustainability initiatives at SOU and beyond.
Faculty from all departments are encouraged to apply.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Faculty Fellows Program is open now through February 21, 2025.
Innovation Grants
The Institute for Applied Sustainability offers a unique funding opportunity of up to $5,000 for projects focused on sustainability in our community.
The Innovation Grant Program is designed to encourage faculty, and staff to develop and implement creative, forward-thinking projects that enhance learning, research, sustainability, equity, and community engagement at our university. Thes projects should create meaningful impacts on campus and beyond.
All proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with the Institute for Applied Sustainability’s mission and core commitments. Proposals should articulate how they support the Institute’s purpose whether it is in direct alignment with our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, or speaks to the values outlined in our mission.
Projects can be either operational-based or research-based.
Eligible Applicants
Faculty
Faculty members in the APSOU bargaining unit holding at least a half-time, renewable appointment at SOU for the current academic year are eligible. Projects involving groups must have a majority of the group represented by the bargaining unit.
Any teaching faculty not in the APSOU bargaining unit as described above (i.e. a Term by Term instructor) may be eligible to apply if the application includes a letter of support from their direct supervisor or department chair.
Affiliate Faculty with active SOU ID numbers are eligible. (Note: this is not the same as loosely associated with the university). Must provide a letter of support from their department chair.
Staff
SOU employees who are benefits eligible and whose primary employment purpose is working as a non-academic member of the University’s staff are eligible to apply.
Any staff member with less than .5 FTE may be eligible to apply if the application includes a letter of support from their department head or the supervisor that they report to.
Students
Students are ineligible to apply for Innovation Grants. Students should work with a staff or faculty member as the Principle Investigator or Project Coordinator. Alternatively, students can apply for the Student Green Fund.
Please submit all applications via email to the IAS Managing Director, Kira Welch at welchk1@sou.edu. If you have questions they can also be directed here.
Event Scholarships & Sponsorships
The Institute is proud to support transformative conferences and networking events surrounding sustainability. We are also excited to share that we will be providing scholarships to support the growth of networking and knowledge sharing among our students, faculty, and staff at some of these events. If you want to learn more, please direct your questions about event sponsorship and scholarship to IAS Coordinator, Kira Welch.
This year, we will be sponsoring 15 students, staff, and faculty members to attend the Washington Oregon Higher Education Conference (WOHESC) in Portland, OR.
Contact the IAS Team
Vincent Smith: smithv3@sou.edu
Becs Walker: walkerr6@sou.edu
Kira Welch: welchk1@sou.edu
