Engagement Fund 25/26

The Sustainability Engagement Fund supports engagement activities on key sustainability issues thereby supporting the implementation of the University of Galway Sustainability Strategy and our role as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambassador. The fund is available to staff and students with grants normally ranging from €1,000 - €2,000.

This year, the Sustainability Engagement Fund is a partnership between the Sustainability Office, Office of the Vice President of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and the Green Labs initiative. The Sustainability Engagement Fund 25/26 has two streams:

• Green Labs (SDG12: Sustainable Consumption and Production)
• Peace (SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

Green Labs (SDG 12)

The Green Labs funding stream provides awards to support projects that promote more sustainable, efficient and responsible use of resources in laboratory environments, contributing to University of Galway’s commitment to achieving green lab certification across all campus laboratories. This funding stream is a collaboration between the Sustainability Office, the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, and the College of Science & Engineering.

More information on My Green Lab certification is available here.

Peace (SDG16)

University of Galway is committed to SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. This goal aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. This funding stream will provide funding to successful proposals for engagement on the topics related to SDG 16. Proposals may be made by an individual staff member, an individual student or by a group of staff and/or students and collaboration with community groups and/or policymakers is greatly encouraged. Engagement activities could include a workshop, seminar, training, educational resource, field trip, living lab etc. The activity must be free for participants to attend.

The awardees for the Sustainability Engagement Fund 25/26 are:

Green Labs (SDG 12)

• Claire Masterson, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
• Coralie Mureau, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
• Darragh Mullins, College of Science & Engineering
• Indu Patwal, College of Science & Engineering
• Kiruba Nedounsejian, College of Science & Engineering
• Niall Belton, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
• Oliver Carroll, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences

Peace (SDG 16)

• Anita Ferrara, College of Business, Public Policy & Law
• Hugh Gately, Literary and Debating Society and student of College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
• Sarah Jenkins, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
• Sophie Sweeney, College of Business, Public Policy & Law

The Sustainability Engagement Fund is overseen by a subgroup of CUSP members. 

Projects funded under the Sustainability Engagement Fund 2025/26 must be completed by August 2026 (except in exceptional circumstances where an extension has been granted by the subgroup).

The Sustainability Office would like to thank all applicants and wish successful applicants every success with their projects.