Apply for a Sustainability Action Fund research award by March 15
As part of its mission, the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF) aims to celebrate students who are contributing to a culture of sustainability at Concordia. Those doing a course research project or thesis that links topics of social, environmental or economic sustainability with ideas for the university setting may be eligible for the SAF’s Sustainability Research Award.
For this year, the award’s fourth, the student-run organization is collaborating with the Faculty of Fine Arts and — in a new partnership — the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.
In 2021, seven undergraduate awards of $800 will be up for grabs, as well as five graduate awards of $1,500. In addition to sustainability topics, each potential recipient must demonstrate how their research could advance sustainability at Concordia. Students must submit the application by March 15 to be eligible.
“Last year, we received more submissions than any year prior. We hope to keep up the momentum and see a record number of applicants,” says Sebastián Di Poi, executive director of SAF.
“That would move us toward our goal of expanding financial support for the program so that we can provide even more scholarships to deserving applicants across Concordia’s faculties.”
New collaboration with the Gina Cody School
Though the formal partnership with the Gina Cody School may be new, engineering and computer science students have already shown an interest in the research awards.
“Every year we see applications from students in all departments. However, in the past two years, we have noticed increased interest by students in engineering,” Di Poi says.
“We’re really excited to have them officially on board and see that the faculty is committed to supporting awards for student researchers focusing on sustainability issues at Concordia.”
One goal of the new partnership is to further encourage engineering and computer science students to take on topics of sustainability in their courses — perhaps inspired by projects like the Concordia Eco Spinning Gym.
“That research project sought ways to add a generator, converter and inverter to the spinning bikes at Concordia’s Le Gym,” Di Poi explains.
If all of the gym’s 25 bicycles were modified and in use, they could create enough power to light up three studios spaces. There would even be some remaining that could be stored or diverted to power outlets.
To apply for a Sustainability Research Award, download the application form on the SAF website and submit it by March 15. Students conducting research as a team can apply together.
