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. 

Community Climate Healing Circle

Project Description

The vision of Mobilize Berkeley is to lead an intergenerational citywide sustained mobilization towards stopping climate destruction and participating in a just transition toward sustainable, more equitable and healthier ways of living and working. SERC has been in partnership with Mobilize Berkeley for the last three years, and we hope to continue our partnership with them for many years to come. QTPOC students and community members organize and facilitate the circles. Within the Healing Circles QTPOC students' healing and voices are centered and...

ASUC Eco-Office Director Stipends

Project Description

The ASUC Eco-Office is comprised of 7 departments, including Pour out Pepsi, UC Green New Deal, Environmental Education, Environmental Justice Campaigns, Eco-Community Development, Social Media & Graphics, and Legislative Affairs. Each is headed by directors who coordinate and organize their respective departments. The directors spend roughly 5-7 hours a week leading their department and performing tasks including attending senior staff meetings, hosting department meetings, maintaining logistics and organization of their department, etc....

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!)

Cultivation of Vertically-Farmed Microalgae for Biofuel Production

Project Description

VFB is seeking funds to create a sustainable biofuel from microalgae. Their goal is to create a model for growing renewable fuels with low carbon impacts and to eventually generate algae for Berkeley research labs and support future research into sustainably grown algae.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

SURG Redwood Restoration

Project Description

The overall goals of the project are to research Bay Area redwoods using Geospatial information systems and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. This research will focus on analyzing redwood environmental growth factors and forest management practices in order to determine the best locations for future redwood growth in the Bay Area. However, this research project is more than just its overall goals, it is also meant to be an introductory research experience for 14 students, some of which have not yet had the opportunity to take part in Berkeley research....

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!)

ReUSE: Berkeley's Only On-Campus Thrift Store

Project Description

This project is to revamp the ReUSE store, allowing us to achieve our 4 main goals for next semester: 1) Doubling our charity impact to $3000 and saving at least 1000 pounds of clothing and material waste. 2) Growing our volunteer base and community from 50 to 120 general volunteers. 3) Revitalizing our ReUSE material stations across campus and successfully dispersing materials from storage. 4) Tripling our daily store foot traffic and social media outreach and engagement, specifically on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Project Links

...

PlateUp: Reducing Single-Use Plastic Takeout Waste

Project Description

The proposed project consists of surveying, identifying, and assisting (10) pilot restaurants in their transition from single-use plastic takeout boxes to compostables and/or reusables.

Project Links

Project Application

Project Poster (coming soon!)

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

...