Catalyst Grants

Unfortunately, no, unless you are from an HBCU or Tribal Institution. The Catalyst Grants are specifically designed to help advance the climate action goals of colleges and universities that are either a signatory of the Climate Leadership Network, a member of UC3, or an Affiliate member, and up to date with their annual reporting and dues to Second Nature. In an effort to expand access, we are making exceptions for non-member HBCU and/or Tribal Institutions. If you are interested in learning how to join, please contact Steve Muzzy.

Any staff, faculty, or student affiliated with an eligible college or university can apply for funding as the primary applicant. Note that the funds will be distributed directly to the eligible college or university, not to the individual applicant.

The funding may be used for new projects, existing program expansion, or implementation. The funding should support climate action initiatives. The application is intended to be uncumbersome and broad in order to support a wide variety of initiatives. The focus of the 2025 Catalyst Grants is to advance campus projects that are forging ahead in innovative ways to address climate action challenges, despite the sector’s current challenges, including reducing emissions, increasing resilience, preparing students for clean energy careers, and advancing environmental justice.

Emphasis will be placed upon new applicants and colleges/universities with more modest endowments and those that have traditionally been underfunded.

If awarded funding, you will need to submit a short interim report at six months and a final report at the end of the funding year. Also, you will coordinate with Second Nature’s communications team to discuss your plans for sharing with your community the news of the award and its impacts. Second Nature’s communications team can work with your school to seek local/regional publicity for projects and assist with developing materials to market your project.

Yes! We encourage collaborative proposals and partner organizations are broadly defined, and may include community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, city agencies, non-profit organizations, or departmental collaborations.

Proposals will be evaluated by a Review Committee comprising previous Catalyst Grant recipients, campus representatives, and Second Nature staff. 

The criteria for review are: 

• Clear articulation of project description including who would be impacted by the funding and what stakeholders are involved
• How the project incorporates principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice 
• Clear articulation of how the project leverages applicants’ existing and ongoing climate action activities 
• Clear articulation of how your campus is investing in this project with matching support, resources, or other contributions 
• A brief budget justification

Yes! Indirect costs up to 10% may be included in the budget.

Yes! Catalyst Grants may be used to support components of a larger project or initiative.

Yes! We’d be happy to share feedback from the Review Committee on your proposal after the selection process is complete.