PHILADELPHIA –- The University of Pennsylvania announced today the formation of a Green Fund, an internal grant-making entity to seed new project ideas from faculty, students and staff that support the goals and objectives of Penn's Climate Action Plan. The Plan is a long-range strategy to reduce the University’s carbon footprint and enhance its overall sustainability.

The new Green Fund will award one-time grants of as much as $50,000 on a competitive basis to applicants whose ideas are designed to improve Penn’s environmental performance and reduce carbon emissions.

“The Green Fund is designed to engage and inspire the whole Penn community in generating ideas,” said Anne Papageorge, vice president of facilities and real estate services, which along with the Office of the Provost, oversees the fund. “We are eager to sponsor intelligent and creative initiatives that support reducing our carbon footprint.”

A committee of faculty, students and staff selects the recipients. The primary criterion is demonstrable return on investment.

The deadline for applications for Green Fund grants is Oct. 31 with awards being announced in December. Information about possible extensions is available by e-mailing sustainability@upenn.edu. Another round of grant applications will be accepted in the spring.

Additional information and application forms are available at www.upenn.edu/sustainability/greenfund.html.