Student Teams

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​Multidisciplinary teams of students at all levels from around 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 2023. Throughout this time, students will execute their ideas and report on progress. Successfully completed projects will be included in a publication to be issued following the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the United Arab Emirates.

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​Student teams (suggested size 2-5) should apply using one of five tracks:
 

• Track 1: Inspiration and Empowerment: Develop a creative approach to raising awareness and influencing others using tactics such as video, art, writing, games, community events, or social media.

• Track 2: Ideas into Action: Propose a student-led climate-related project on campus or in the community that will affect measurable change over six months.  

• Track 3: Resilience: Devise a way to help your school or community adapt to the impacts of climate change.

• Track 4: Nature-Based Solutions: find a way to connect community members with their natural world – acknowledging our reliance on nature and our role as stewards.

• Track 5: Innovation and Imagination: For projects that do not fit into the other tracks, ideas in this category can be revolutionary, entrepreneurial, and creative.

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​Projects must be action-oriented, and student teams should ensure that projects are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Possible metrics for success include:

• A completed project, such as a video or an event

• Number of clicks, likes, or impressions

• Number of members or participants

• Estimated GHG reductions from project-inspired actions

• Signatories

• Survey results

• Feedback from the intended audience or stakeholders

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General guidelines

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• Applications will only be accepted through the online form. This PDF is available to help student teams organize their entries, but applications will not be accepted via email.

• 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 may be subject to feedback from reviewers.

• Student teams must identify an advisor from their Higher Education Institution (HEI). This can be a faculty member or an administrative staff member. Alumni mentors are also encouraged as additional advisors.

• The Forum may provide additional mentors upon request.

• The Forum does not have funds to support student projects and will not have the capacity to support direct participation in the COP.

• Certificates will be granted to students who complete all three phases of the program.

• Final project reports will be featured in an online publication.

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Participation requires three phases:

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

• Workshop attendance: each team member must attend at least three of the online events to be offered by the Forum. 

• Project Execution: teams will have six months to implement and test their ideas. During this time, they will be required to post monthly updates. 

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Interaction between student teams will also be strongly encouraged. The Forum will provide both structured and unstructured opportunities for this purpose. 

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Important Milestones

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• 30 March 2023: application deadline (midnight EST)*

• 15 April 2023: selected teams to be announced

• April 2023: Students are required to participate in orientation workshops

• May 2023: Monthly reporting and online events commence

• 16 October 2023: final reports due

• 30 November to 12 December 2023: COP28 in Abu Dhabi

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*Students who are not in term at the time of the deadline may request an extension. Please contact karlatr@upenn.edu to inquire about this option.

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About the Organizers:

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​International Sustainable Campus Network 

​With nearly 100 members in 23 countries, the ISCN is built around a vision of members using their shared capacity, passion, and intellectual capital to re-envision the future and take meaningful action to contribute to sustainable development. The mission of the ISCN is to provide an international forum to support higher education institutions in the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices for achieving sustainable campus operations and integrating sustainability in research and teaching. Its core values are Respect and Diversity, Collaboration, Transparency and Inclusion, and Bold Leadership.

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Environmental Innovations Initiative

Housed in the Office of the Provost, the mission of the Environmental Innovations Initiative is to catalyze solutions to significant real-world environmental challenges. It is committed to fostering collaboration across disciplines, leading inclusive and dynamic programming on- and off-campus, and forming strategic alliances with external partners. Through its activities, events, and programming, it brings together scholars, leaders, practitioners, students, and community members around themes of climate action, stewardship of nature, and human prosperity.