From 2025, the University of Cologne will provide low-threshold micro-funding for projects of its university members on the cross-cutting topic of sustainability. The Rectorate grants the funding with the aim of providing material support to university members in their commitment to sustainability.

Target groups: Students and all members of staff at the University of Cologne are eligible for funding: Researchers of all career phases, teaching staff, employees from technology and administration, from central facilities and as well as associations and initiatives of the various status groups.

Projects: Projects related to sustainability are eligible for funding. In particular, smaller projects in research, teaching, social commitment and, for example, related to campus design or events can also be funded; explicitly also research projects by students (e.g. BA/MA final projects). The projects should be of short duration (guideline up to 12 months). Conference costs or similar and travel to scientific conferences are excluded from funding. 
 

"The individual commitment of everyone is essential in order to establish a shared culture of sustainability and thus actively contribute to the implementation of the University of Cologne's sustainability strategy."

Professor Dr. Kirk W. Junker, Vice-Rector for Sustainability

Formal conditions: Funding applications are submitted using a form (attached) and sent by email from a university email address to nachhaltigkeit@verw.uni-koeln.de. Only applications for planned, i.e. future projects can be approved. Funding is limited to material and auxiliary resources. Applicants must submit a short report within three months of the end of the project.

Funding: There are two funding categories: 1) flat-rate micro-funding of €500 and 2) individual micro-funding of more than €500, up to a maximum of €5,000. In principle, payment is made by transfer to a PSP element or, depending on individual requirements, by payment on account or reimbursement of expenses.

Procedure and deadlines: Funding can be applied for on an ongoing basis. Applications for funding are selected four times a year at the end of each quarter. 
Recognition of commitment: All funded projects are recognized and made visible at a joint get-together. On request, project participants will receive a certificate for their commitment to sustainability at the UoC.

Contact information
E-mail: nachhaltigkeitverw.uni-koeln.de 
Office hours of the Sustainability Office (Wednesdays 12-13)

Application form