Fall Mini-Grants

These projects were part of our mini-grant program, which involves a shorter application, shorter project timelines, and a total funding limit of $5,000 per project. 

Graduate Outdoor Pals for Equity (GOPE) Workshops

Project Description

GOPE is seeking funds to support a series of workshops on edible gardening, foraging, and herbal medicine, specifically to engage with URM (underrepresented minorities), and FGLI(first-generation, low-income) graduate students. Their goal is to promote equity and inclusivity in outdoor spaces as well as build community and confidence in the outdoors.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Supporting and Expanding the Green Labs Certification Program

Project Description

This Green Labs project is seeking funds to support campus labs in obtaining Green Lab certification, piloting the use of alternative lab materials that are not dependent on single-use plastics, and the creation of software to track lab energy consumption and waste production

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Decolonizing Environmental Education Decal

Project Description

Seeking funds to support the "Decolonizing the Environment" Decal which teaches a curriculum on environmental justice, unlearning dominant frameworks, and centering community care. Their goal is to empower students with the knowledge/tools to navigate environmental solutsions from an equitable lens. They will host guest speakers and monthly community events.

Project Links

Project Application

...

Oxford Tract Farm Logistics

Project Description

BSF's primary goals with this funding are to continue farming at the Oxford Tract, and other gardening spaces, which require space in the greenhouse and water, and continue being able to pay students for teaching the agroecology in action decal. Their work aims to reconnect UC Berkeley students with the land through anti-oppression and decolonial frameworks. They also donate food from the farms to the Basic Needs Center as a way to support food-insecure students on campus.

Project Links

...

SERC Conscious Event Certification

Project Description

SERC's Green team is seeking funding to pilot a Conscious Event certification which will provide support, individualized guidance, and monetary incentives for RSOs on campus to implement sustainable choices in their group's on-campus events

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Diasporic Foods Conference 2024

Project Description

Food Institute Graduate Council seeks funds to support a food systems conference that connects the community to various scholars, artists, policymakers to engage in discussions around diasporic food practices. This free-to-all conference hopes to highlight underrepresented narratives and share traditional growing practices that have migrated across the world.

Project Links

Project Application

...

Bear Pantry Plots at the UVA Community Garden

Project Description

Grad and Family Living is seeking funds to cultivate a space for growing seasonal produce, which will integrate the Pantry with the UVA Community garden. Their initiative aims to improve the surrounding habitat as well as increase nutritional diversity, local sustainability and community building.

Project Links

Project Application

...

Bring Back the Insects to UVA Community Garden

Project Description

Grad and Family Living seeks funds to cultivate the UVA Community garden with native CA plants in order to attract beneficial insects, and support gardeners/the environment. They hope to teach and engage the community about native plants and insects through field and planting days.

Project Links

Project Application

...

Optimization and Integration of Anionic Surfactant-Degrading Bacteria into Aeroponic Lettuce Systems

Project Description

Vertical Farming at Berkeley is requesting funds in order to research detergent-degrading bacteria to purify water for their farm. Their future goal is to supply fresh produce to eateries like Cal Dining.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

Genomic Screening for Mold-Resistance Genes in Oyster Mushrooms

Project Description

Vertical Farming at Berkeley is seeking funds to support research on oyster mushrooms, which are alternative food sources that can reduce food inequity. They will be researching how to create a mushroom resistant to the Trichoderma mold, and hope that their strain can eventually be used in campus dining halls as a meat alternative.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)