Salata Student Climate Activities Fund
The Student Climate Activities Fund provides small, one-time project grants to recognized Harvard student organizations. This funding supports student groups that undertake climate- and sustainability-focused activities or projects independently.
This Fund also covers the previously separate Climate Collaboration Grant as of Fall 2026. A higher award ceiling is offered for student organizations working collaboratively with another student organization.
Funding (Singular Org): TBA
Funding (Collaborative): TBA
Application Cycle: Rolling Applications open on TBD date.
Eligibility: Student Organizations
Summary
The Student Climate Activities Fund offers modest grants to recognized Harvard student organizations which undertake climate- and sustainability-focused programming, activities, and projects independently or in partnership with another student group. The purpose of the Program is to encourage student-led activities that deepen climate engagement on campus, bring together a diversity of student voices, enrich student learning, and contribute to the University’s efforts to meet the global climate challenge. Student organizations may apply for grants of up to TBA to support their climate-related endeavors.
A higher grant in the amount of TBA and priority will be given to student organizations that collaborate on an activity with another student organization. Climate and Sustainability work is deeply intersectional and we are committed to encouraging cross-collaboration.
Qualifying Activities
- Conferences
- Field Trips
- Large group meetings
- Guest-speaker events
- Competition funds
- Seminars or speaker series
- Research projects
- Art or performance-based projects
- Educational programming
Timeline
Applications will open at the beginning of each semester and will stay open. Applicants are required to submit at least 10 business days prior to the event with priority given to those who offer as much notice as possible. Once a completed application is received, you will be notified within 10 business days of award.
Application Requirements:
Please refer to the Program Timeline section to review the Rolling Application details for your proposed activity. All applications are due at least 10 business days in advance of the event.
The Student Activities Grant Application includes the following sections:
- Participant Information: Names of participating student organization and details about the student contact for each participating organization.
- Proposed Activity Details: Information about the group’s proposed activity including an activity title, date, time, and location. This section also includes three document uploads: an Activity Description, Responsibilities Statement, and Timeline. For details, please see the document templates and guidelines below.
- Budget & Funding Request: This section includes an itemized budget form upload (see Upload Guidelines + Templates), a funding request (not to exceed $1,000) and declaration of any additional funding sources. Please review the Program Funding Restrictions.
- Program Agreements: Complete the program attestation & acknowledgement.
Funding & Selection Criteria
The Salata Institute’s student program review committee will make funding decisions and awards based on the following criteria:
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Impact: The degree to which the proposed initiative contributes to the Salata Institute’s efforts to strengthen research, education, and public engagement on climate change and related environmental issues.
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Inclusivity: The degree to which the proposed activities include the broader Harvard community and promote participation from diverse audiences on campus.
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Feasibility: The degree to which completion of the proposed activity is feasible within the outlined timeframe, considering budgetary and logistical constraints.
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Connections: The extent to which the proposed initiative forges new connections among students, schools, and professionals, or strengthens existing ones.
Application Templates:
Applicant Qualifications
Single Organization Applications: Stand-alone organizations applying for funding must be recognized Harvard Student Organizations. Unofficial student groups cannot apply independently.
Multi-Organization Application: Applications for activities which involve more than one student group are highly encouraged. Multi-organization applications must include at least one participating organization that is a recognized Harvard Student Organization.
Program Requirements
Project groups must submit periodic updates when prompted by the Salata Institute. Upon completion, project groups must submit a 1-page final report and 2–3 photographs. Project groups must adhere to all Funding Restrictions.
Qualifying Activities
- Conferences
- Field Trips
- Large group meetings
- Guest-speaker events
- Competition funds
- Seminars or speaker series
- Research projects
- Art or performance-based projects
- Educational programming
Please review the Funding Restrictions tab to understand what kinds of expenses related to these activities are eligible for funding.
Funding is intended to support activities taking place on-campus or in the Great Boston area.
If you are planning an activity that you do not see listed above, or which will take place outside of the Greater Boston area, contact salatainstitute@harvard.edu to ask if your proposal qualifies for funding.
Program funds cannot be used for the following:
- To pay for Harvard student time.
- For the purchase of gift cards.
- Group travel expenses outside of New England.
- For individual student travel.
- To fund projects that result in direct individual or personal gain.
- To fund aspects of a project beyond the pilot, including business start-up costs, etc.
Some examples of allowable funding expenses include:
- Food and catering costs
- Speaker honorariums and travel costs
- Venue or event space rentals and fees
- Competition entrance fees or administration fees
- Project materials and supplies
- Approved project tools
Final budgets are approved by the Salata Institute as part of the application process. The Salata Institute reserves the right to request revisions to the proposed budget to fit within the scope of allowable expenses. All applicable Harvard University financial policies and respective School financial policies must be followed.