Green RFP Program

The Request for Proposal for Sustainability Initiatives by Student Organizations (Green RFP Program), was established in 2010 to give students an opportunity to help make Virginia Tech a national leader in campus sustainability.

Recognized student organizations are given the opportunity each year to submit a proposal for a sustainable idea that they would like to see implemented on the university’s Blacksburg, Virginia campus.

Proposals that support the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, produce realizable savings, and require one-time (as opposed to ongoing) funding are given preference. The goal of the program is to have approved proposals funded and implemented within the same academic year.

Submission Process

Applications are currently being accepted until November 8th for the 2019-2020 academic year!

Proposals must be submitted via email (denniscc@vt.edu) on the official Green RFP proposal form each fall. 

Proposals should be thorough, but concise. They should clearly state what the problem is (the current state of whatever it is the project is meant to improve), a clear budget, other funding sources, and any potential cost savings. Additionally, students are required to get approval from a university official from the department that will receive the project. For example, if the project is in the Residence Halls, then the student must get approval from an official in the Office of Housing and Residential Life.

In order to be successful, students and student groups must make sure that their budgets are correct, that the department to which the project is going approves of the project, and that the writing is detailed, including specifics on project implementation timelines, costs, and special needs.

Approval Process

Submitted proposals are reviewed by the Office of Sustainability and submitted to the Energy and Sustainability Committee for consideration. The committee prioritizes the proposals and forwards their recommendations to the Office of Budget and Financial Planning for further review, approval, and funding consideration.

Previously Funded Proposals

As of May 2019, the program has approved 81 student proposals totaling more than $1 million.

Note: the projects listed below may not have been funded or completed exactly as written in the applications. These projects go through many layers of review from when they are received until they are funded and completed. Projects may be partially funded and sometimes a different brand/product is purchased than originally proposed.

Indoor LED Lights for the Math Emporium

HVAC Upgrade for the Math Emporium

LED Hallway Lights for Payne Hall

Replace Outdoor High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamp Post Fixtures with LED Fixtures

Outdoor LED Lights in Cassel Coliseum Parking Lot

Green Lab Initiative

LED Sink Lights in Multiple Residence Halls

Stroubles Creek Watershed Restoration 

Mixed Paper Recycling Toters for use in the 16 Architectural Studios

Reusable-to-Go Containers

Rainwater Catchment System in Hahn Horticulture Garden

Two Water Bottle Refill Stations in Kelly Hall
Hot Water Recirculation in Residence Halls
Two Electronic Waste Recycling Bins

Bat Boxes

Battery Powered Blower for use at the Hahn Horticulture Garden

Solar-Powered Charging Table Outside Bishop-Favrao Hall

Outdoor Dog Run VMCVM

LED Lights in the Presidents Quad Residence Hall

LED Lights in the Study Lounges in Pritchard Residence Hall

Additional OZZI Containers

LED Lights outside the President's Quad, West End, and Cheatham Hall

  • Proposal

Water Bottle Refill Stations- Cowgill and Burchard Hall

Stroubles Creek Riparian Restoration

Water Bottle Refill Stations- Latham Hall

Water Bottle Refill Stations- Derring Hall

Ytoss Residence Hall Indoor Collection Program

Native Trees for Sustainability Week 2018 and Earth Week 2019

Pollinator Habitats at Hahn Horticulture Garden

Stadium Woods Infrastructure Upgrades

LED Lights in Burruss Tunnel

Stroubles Creek Riparian Restoration Buffer

ICTAS I Automatic Fume Hood

OZZI Machine Reusable Container Expansion

LED Lights in Squires Scene Construction Shop

Solar Power Charging Table - Pritchard Residential Hall

Water Bottle Refill Stations - Pamplin Hall and  Major Williams Hall

Energy Saving Light Switch Stickers

Bike Racks for Residence Areas

Bike Shelter for Oak Lane Community

Bike Fix-It Stations

Bike Racks for Academic Areas

Bike Races for Residence Areas

Fume Hood Stickers

Indoor Recycling Bins

LED Street Lamps

OZZI Machine Upgrades

Rainwater Catchment System

Trees for Sustainability Week and Earth Week

Water Bottle Refill Station - Smyth Hall

YToss Signage and Banners

Residence Hall Water Bottle Refill Stations

Solar Recharging Tables - Pritchard Residential Hall

Academic Building Water Bottle Refill Stations

LED Street Lamp Upgrades

OZZI Machines for Reusable To-Go

Bike Parking Hub

Covered Bike Rack

Surge Electric Hand Dryers

Water Bottle Refill Stations

Ytoss Upgrades

Battery and Ink Cartridge Recycling

Bike Fix It Stations

Bike Racks

Dining Hall Waste Stations

Garden Expansion

Lighting Upgrades

Low Flow Shower Head Upgrade

Outdoor Recycling Bins

Recycling Bins and Water Stations

Water Bottle Refill Stations

Bike Racks

Farm Additions

Outdoor Mixed Paper Bins

Paper Recycling Bins

Waste Stations

Water Refill Stations

For more information about the program, contact the Office of Sustainability at 540-231-5184.