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 - Good Neighbor Iowa).

Center for Energy and Environmental Education

All funds must be spent by February 1, 2026. Grant recipients will have the opportunity to present their projects at the first annual statewide Environmental Health Student Symposium to be held in Maucker Union on October 29, 2025.

Mini-grant Application
Mini Grant Flyer

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 information about our Environmental Health Programs can be found here. 
Who can apply?
  • 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.  
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.
  • Allocated funds may only be used for the purposes for which they were approved.
  • Reimbursement for items purchased before the award was received will not be allowed.
  • For the project, 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.
What are some examples of topics that can be explored?
  • Educating, researching, or taking action on an issue in the community pertaining, but not limited to, the following:
    • Indoor or outdoor air pollution and the impact on health
    • Harmful health impacts of pesticides (urban or agricultural)
      • Toxic chemicals on food
    • Microplastics and/or nanoplastics influence on health
    • Endocrine disruptors
    • Health impacts of poor water quality
    • Consequences of climate change on health
    • Hazardous waste management
How do I apply?
  • Please fill out the online form to apply.
  • Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority will be given to those submitted by April 30, 2025.
How will my application be evaluated?
  • Submissions will be evaluated based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
    • Clarity of proposal
    • Inclusion of budget
    • Involvement of students
    • Precautionary principle/environmental health rationale
What is the timeline of the mini grant?
  • Applicants will be notified through email on a rolling basis, however priority will be given to those project ideas submitted by April 30, 2025.
  • All funds must be spent by February 1, 2026.
Are there reporting requirements?
  • Yes:
    • Required: A one-page detailed summary of the project outcome(s), including photos, is due by February 1, 2026 or once the project is complete.
    • Optional, but highly encouraged: Grant recipients will have the opportunity to present their projects at the first annual statewide Environmental Health Student Symposium held October 29, 2025 at Maucker Union on the UNI campus.
Who do I contact with questions?

Contact

Brittany Latch

Environmental Health Program Associate

brittany.latch@uni.edu
(319) 273-7150