The Global University Climate Forum brings student activists together to share ideas, learn, connect, and act on the global imperative of addressing climate change. Multidisciplinary teams of students at all levels from all parts of the world are invited to submit their ideas for climate action projects using this form. Selected teams will be invited to participate in a series of workshops between April and October of 2022 while executing their own projects and reporting on progress. Successfully completed projects will be included in a publication to be issued following the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt.

Led by the Environmental Innovations Initiative of the University of Pennsylvania and the International Sustainable Network in collaboration with university and network partners around the world, this program is open to college and university students at all levels and in any region and any discipline. There are no prerequisites.

NOTE: Teams may wish to use this guide to prepare their answers in advance, but applications will be accepted only through the online form.

Multidisciplinary student teams (suggested size 2 – 5) can apply through one of four tracks:

• Transformative Change: Develop a project or product that will help elucidate how personal choices connect to systemic change.

• Inspiration and Empowerment: Develop a creative approach to raising awareness and influencing others using tactics such as video, art, writing, or social media

• Ideas into Action: Propose a student-led climate-related project on campus or in the community that will affect measurable change over six (6) months.

• Innovation and Imagination: For projects that do not fit into the other tracks, ideas in this category can be revolutionary, entrepreneurial, and creative.

All proposals must be actionable by students and should be designed to yield measurable results over the course of six months. All projects must have an advisor from within the university. Proposals may reflect ongoing projects and activities so long as they are the intellectual capital of the students applying and there is a projected measurable outcome during the duration of the Forum implementation period. New projects and ongoing projects will be subject to feedback from reviewers.

Proposals will only be accepted through the online form. Teams may use this PDF to prepare answers, but applications will not be accepted by email.

Participation will require three phases:

• Proposal development: these must be submitted through this form and may require refinement based on reviewer feedback.

• Workshop attendance: each member of the team must attend a mandatory orientation session in April (multiple times will be offered) and at least three online sessions between April and October. Team members can attend different workshops, and there is no limit to the number of sessions a student can attend.

• Project Execution: teams will have 6 months to implement and test their ideas. During this time, they will be required to post monthly updates through the Forum's website.

Certificates will be granted to students who complete all three phases of the program. (NB: Even if the program does not go as hoped, the act of following through with the idea and documenting progress – or barriers thereto – is seen as success.)

Student teams accepted to the Forum will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, learn about topics not typically offered in classrooms, and connect with peers around the world. Students who complete the full program will receive a certificate and will be included in the final publication. Please see the 2021 publication, The Knowledge Sector: The role of Higher Education Institutions in addressing Global Environmental Challenges, as an example of how this will look.

The deadline for applications has been extended to Thursday, April 7. Applications must be submitted through the online form no later than midnight EST on 1 April 2022.

Is there a way to see the questions before we start the application?
Yes. This form contains all of the prompts from the official application. You may use it to prepare your answers, but you must apply through the online portal.

I am a current student, but I am taking a year off. Can I still participate?
So long as your project is still actionable in the expected timeframe and you have an advisor from your institution, yes.

I will graduate before the end of the program. Can I still participate?
Yes. Provided that you are committed to the execution of your project until it is finalized. It would be preferable if other members of your team were still students in October 2022.

Is there a limit to the number of students on a team?
Technically, no. However, more is not always better and the reviewers may suggest streamlining larger teams. We suggest teams of 2-5 students.

Will I have to update my proposal after I submit it?
The reviewers may offer comments or ask questions about viability. In this case, it is advised to update the concept before execution.

What if not all of the team members follow through?
Remaining team members who follow through will still be issued certificates and included in the final publication. If a student team drops to 1, a mentor may be provided to assist with revising the concept for execution.

Can we submit an existing project?
Yes, but please define what you will do during the six months of this program - be specific!

Can we submit an idea that will start during this program, but keep going?
Yes, but please specify what you will do during the six months of this program.

Do we need a team leader to submit the application?
Yes. You will also need to identify an advisor from your institution and include this information on your application form.

Can we email our application?
No. Only applications submitted through the form will be considered.

My college or university is not in session between April and October 2022. Can I still submit a project proposal?
Yes.

My team has students from different universities. Can we still submit a project proposal?
Yes. Please make sure that you have one advisor for each of the institutions that you represent. If there is more than three institutions in your team, please send the information on the additional advisors via email.

Does the "advisor" to the project have to be a faculty member / academic staff member?
No. You are welcome to enlist a professional who works for your university or even an alum.

Can we ask a question?
Of course. Please email us and we will respond within 48 hours.