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

Proposals for the 2017-18 Green RFP Program cycle are now being accepted. Applications are due by Nov. 10, 2017.

Proposals must be submitted via email 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 2017, the program has approved 53 student proposals totaling more than $525,000.

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.

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