Archived Challenge Timeline

2023 Sustainability Challenge!

Do you have an idea that would help improve Climate Change and Health in your community? Submit your idea for the chance to win $1,200 toward piloting your proposal!

Link for submission: https://www.kumc.edu/sustainability/climate-change-and-health-form.html

Deadline extended to 10/20/23!!

Climate change affects communities differently. With the understanding that more harmful effects are felt more greatly in under-served populations, this pilot project aims to bring people together, across both KU campuses and the community. Be creative!

The Climate Change and Health Challenge is open to all community members and students, staff and faculty at the KU Medical Center and KU-Lawrence campuses.

The award-winning proposal will receive $1,200 to pilot their Climate Change and Health proposal, enable progress, spearhead change and implement programs that directly influence our community.

About the challenge

The Climate Change and Health Challenge recognizes and raises the visibility of individuals and teams that have identified and developed high-impact innovative solutions that address sustainability, climate change, or environmental justice initiatives in the community, KU-Lawrence or KU Medical Center campuses. 

Community members, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit sustainability ideas that promote and improve environmental quality, efficient use of economic resources and address health and social equity within our community-at-large. The individual or team with the winning proposal will receive $1,200 to pilot the implementation of their sustainability initiative at their respective site.

This work is supported by the Health Humanities and Arts Research Collaborative (HHARC), The Commons and the Office of Research at the University of Kansas.

Award guidelines and competition structure

This competition is open to community members and all students, staff and faculty at the KU-Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses. Initiatives submitted should focus on one of the three categories listed below:

1. Environmental quality and climate action

2. Health and social equity

3. Economic and resource efficiency

Proposals submitted will be evaluated by the Climate Change and Health Committee. You can submit as an individual or as a team.

How to apply

• Registration for this event will be open to the community and all faculty, students and staff of KU-Lawrence and KU Medical Center.

• You may register as a team with an idea or as an individual. Your team may include a mentor or advisor from within or outside the KU/KU Medical Center community.

• Proposal submissions after the deadline will not be considered for entry.

Timeline

• 7/31/2023: Applications open: https://www.kumc.edu/sustainability/climate-change-and-health-form.html

• 10/20/2023* extended: Applications close

• 10/23/2023: You/your team provide a 10-minute presentation of your proposal during the KU Medical Center Sustainability and Wellness Fair. Audience will vote on two $1,200 winners that day!

• 11/1/2023: Begin implementation of your proposal

• 5/1/2024: Complete implementation of your proposal

• 5/13/2024: Present your proposal’s findings in a 15-minute presentation during the noon Community Conversations in Sustainability event

Important considerations for October 23 pitches

Problem/Solution

1. Does the sustainability innovation(s) proposed address sustainability in a novel way or in a way that has not been attempted in the past?

2. What is the problem that the innovation will solve? Is the solution feasible and appropriate?

Impact

Describe the sustainability aspects of the innovation in environmental, social, and economic terms:

1. The environmentally beneficial outcomes of the Innovation

2. How the Innovation benefits disadvantaged or marginalized constituencies

3. Financial benefits that result from the innovation including projected long-term benefits

Feasibility

1. What resources will be required for your innovation to be implemented and operate?

2. What is the estimated cost of the innovation?

3. What is the estimated project timeline?

4. What is the estimated budget and return on investment?

Contact Us!

For questions, contact Dr. Shelley Bhattacharya at sbhattacharya@kumc.edu