Environmental Health Mini Grant

UNI CEEE's Environmental Health Program is offering mini grants of up to $5,000 per project. These mini-grants are available to UNI faculty, staff, and students who engage in high-impact projects in coordination with CEEE staff that demonstrate the environment's connection to public health, upstream solutions to downstream harms, and/or implementing the Precautionary Principle in community environmental health initiatives.

Grants can support student experiences in class or through a student organization, research or community projects, trips or travel, honoraria for invited guest speakers for a class or an on-campus event, or perhaps even help establish a new environmental health campaign led by UNI students (Like this one). 

We would like to hear your ideas. Applications are due by 11:59 pm (CT) on October 4, 2024.  Recipients will be notified on or before October 14, 2024. All funds must be spent by August 1, 2025. Grant recipients will have the opportunity to present their projects at the first annual statewide Environmental Health student symposium held on UNI’s campus during the fall of 2025.   

Mini Grant FAQs

What is the purpose of the Environmental Health Mini Grant?
  • The purpose of these mini-grants is to create UNI student experiences in projects that highlight the connection of our environment and human health, develop projects that put environmental health sciences to work in the community, and support faculty's inclusion of hands-on exploration of environmental health topics in their courses.
  • More about our programs can be found here.
Who can apply?
  • UNI faculty, staff, and students who engage in high-impact projects in coordination with CEEE staff.
Where does funding come from and what is the amount?
  • Grants are awarded by the UNI CEEE with generous support from the R.J. Carver Charitable Trust. Up to $5,000 per project.
How can I use this funding?
  • Funding can support any project for UNI student experiences, on or off campus, which involve environmental health topics. Examples of what the grants can support include:
    • Student experiences in class or through a student organization
    • Environmental health research projects or community initiatives
    • Trips or travel
    • Honoraria for invited guest speakers for a class or an on-campus event
    • Establishment of an environmental health education campaign led by UNI students -- like Good Neighbor Iowa.
  • Grants can be used as matching funds if applying for a larger grant to support environmental health-related projects.
  • Allocated funds may only be used for the purposes for which they were approved by the CEEE committee.
  • Reimbursement for items purchased before the award was received will not be allowed.
  • It is the responsibility of the individual or group to ensure that allocated funds are spent in accordance with the University of Northern Iowa and the Board of Regents policies, and any other policies the recipient is expected to comply with.
How do I apply?
  • Applications are due by 11:59 pm Central Time on October 4, 2024.
  • Please fill out the online form to apply.
How will my application be evaluated?
  • Submissions will be evaluated by a committee of CEEE staff based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
    • Clarity of proposal
    • Inclusion of budget
    • Involvement of students
    • Precautionary/environmental health rationale
What is the timeline of the mini grant?
  • Applicants will be notified on or before October 14, 2024 through the email provided on the application form.
  • All funds must be spent by August 1, 2025.
Are there reporting requirements?
  • Yes, but they are minimal. A one-page detailed summary of the project outcome(s), including photos, is due August 1, 2025 or by the completion of the project.

Have questions about your application, idea for a project, or about the mini-grants in general? Contact: