UQ Green Fund FAQ
Every year, the Sustainability Office receives applications for the UQ Green Fund. These applications present unique ideas to increase UQ’s sustainability on campus, and we are proud to support those ideas that fulfil the Green Fund criteria.
While every idea is different, the below FAQ is based on common questions and occurrences surrounding past applications. If you need clarification on any of the below, please get in contact with us at sustainability@uq.edu.au
What do I do before writing up my application?
Brainstorm your project to the fullest extent. Ask yourself, “if there were no barriers, how would I want my project to run?” Look at the main questions being asked in the application and use these to guide your brainstorm. Highlight key words within these questions to make sure your answers are accurate.
Approach your peers, or any staff members you know, to see if others would be keen to be involved in your project’s organisation. Brainstorm what specific components of your project will need funding. The Sustainability Office is available to help with this process, so contact us if you need any guidance or have questions!
Are partnerships and match funding compulsory for the application?
Applications of $500 or less do not require matched funding, however apllications requiring more than this amount will require matched funding.
For applications over $500, providing details on a partnership with a UQ entity, and match funding you have secured with them, is compulsory and must be fulfilled before you can progress.
Ideally, this should be completed before you submit your Green Fund application. A UQ entity constitutes a school, faculty, particular department, or even a student club/society. For your application, evidence of a partnership should be a formal letter of support.
The reason this is compulsory is that a partnership shows you have approached others within UQ about your project, and that they support it to the extent that they will help fund it. This not only guarantees greater success for your project but offer practice to pitch your project before applying for the Green Fund too.
How do I ensure a good feasibility score?
Feasibility is scored at the assessor’s discretion and is based on how realistic your project and plan of implementation is. Therefore, at each stage of your application, we urge you to ask yourself, “Will this plan work in a UQ setting? What are the barriers to it being run this way? What solutions could I provide?”
Why are there specific word counts stated for each section?
These word counts make sure your application is concise and easier to assess but are also a clue in how to fill it out successfully. The longer the word count, the more details a specific section needs. If you are struggling to meet the word count, consider if there are details in the question you have not addressed. If you are going over the word count, perhaps you are adding in details that should be put into more relevant sections of the application.
Should I just estimate my budget or gather quotes?
Proving an accurate budget, with attached quotes, is an essential part of your application. Giving as much detail as you can will not only help us understand how much funding your project needs, but shows you have thoroughly thought about what your project needs to make it a success.
How long will it take to assess my application?
The Sustainability Office will assess your application as quickly as possible. We will notify you via email when we first receive your application and it may be a few weeks before we contact you again. This second email will most likely contain feedback and questions for clarification. Once you’re able to supply answers to those questions, we will finalise application assessment and email you with the result of your funding request.
I have received my application feedback – now what?
Take a few days to read over your feedback and compare it to your application. Please feel free to contact us back for any clarification. If you are satisfied with your feedback, you can remedy anything lacking in your application by emailing us back and addressing any questions we have. You can also use this time to provide or amend information that you think will improve your application overall. We will use all the new information you send us to update your application assessment accordingly.
What are the main things that we have noticed past applications lacking?
Usually, the Evaluation Methods section does not have methods that are quantitative or thorough assessments of the progress of the project. Milestones are usually left out of this section, although they are specified in the question.
Past applications do not mention if the applicant has talked to other parties that may be interested in the project and cannot provide a list of potential volunteers who would help run the project. Including when this would be a major benefit to any application. Within Project Participants, be thorough with what responsibilities each participant has, and name them if you can.
Other issues with past unsuccessful applications have been that projects do not contribute to sustainability within the wider UQ community in a lasting and impactful way. If it involves only a small group within the university or will only be impactful for a short period of time, it may not be a successful application.
What causes an application category to score low?
A low score usually gets assigned if an incomplete answer is provided. This is why we suggest you highlight key words in the question to address every component in your answer. Also check if you are providing details that are asked of you in the application, but in the wrong section, as this will also incur lower marks.
If you have an idea for a student project that aims to increase campus sustainability, we want to hear from you! Apply for the UQ Green fund from March to October, or email us at sustainability@uq.edu.au
My project has been awarded a Green Fund grant, what are the terms and conditions?
All Green Fund grants are to further sustainability on UQ’s campuses and are for the benefit of staff and students. Upon accepting the Green Fund grant, it is acknowledged that these funds will only be used for the specific project to which the original application project applied, and that the funds are not eligible to be transferred to a new project idea.
It is also acknowledged that the Green Fund grant will be accessed within 12 months of the offer, after this time a new application is required.
If the coordinator of the awarded project leaves UQ, an alternate UQ student and/or staff member must be nominated to coordinate the project.