Mel Lane Student Grants Project Guidelines

In honor of environmental leader Mel Lane, the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment invites undergraduate and graduate students to submit proposals for student-driven-and-managed projects that focus on environmental sustainability in one or more of the following topic areas: climate, ecosystem services and conservation, natural climate solutions, environmental health, environmental justice and equity, food security, freshwater, oceans, and sustainable development generally. We will also consider other areas within climate and sustainability.

We fund projects that offer a measurable impact on an environmental issue through direct activity - including educational activities - or applied research with an outreach component. In addition to having of focus of environmental sustainability, your project should also engage people. Consider how your project can bring together and impact the Stanford community, local community, or beyond.  Grants typically range from $500 to $1,500+. Please note that this program does not fund thesis, capstone, or dissertation research or other academic requirements. We prioritize novel and burgeoning projects in search for funding to jump start their actions and activities, although we sometimes fund projects in consecutive years if growth and increased scope is clearly articulated. 

Applications closed at 11:59pm PT on Sunday, 11/30/25.

Proposed projects should:

1. Focus on environmental sustainability within one or more of the following areas: climate, ecosystem services and conservation, natural climate solutions, environmental health, environmental justice and equity, food security, freshwater, oceans, and sustainable development.
2. Involve a team of Stanford undergraduate and/or graduate students. We encourage all interested groups to apply, however teams should be affiliated with a registered Stanford voluntary student organization (VSO) that is recognized by the Office of Community Engagement (OSE). A list of these groups can be found here; any group listed on that page is an active student organization with the exception of the following categories: Student Athlete Community Groups, Residential, Campus Departments, and Associated Students of Stanford University. Some examples from previous years include Stanford Energy Club, Students for Sustainable Stanford, Engineers for Sustainable World, etc. Award funds will be transferred to the VSO account and students will work with the group's finance manager to get reimbursed for project expenses (you will be asked to provide an account number in your application).
3. Provide an educational experience for students actively involved in the project and the broader Stanford community.
4. As a program oriented to supporting impactful projects, your project should engage people. Please describe how this project will do so, which may mean a communication plan and outreach component, including to the Stanford community.  However, projects need not be confined to Stanford.

Proposals should describe The Problem, Project's Objective(s), Activities and Expected Results and will include the following elements:

1. Project title and concise executive summary of the project.
2. Name of student group(s) or partner organizations. Teams should be affiliated with a recognized VSO, but all are welcome to apply.
3. List of lead student(s) and project team members, their programs/majors and e-mail addresses. Note the project lead responsible for submitting materials and a final report to the Woods Institute.
4. What is the overall motivating environmental problem for the project? Why is it important?
5. What are your objectives for a successful project?
6. Audience for the project. Describe the approximate size of the community you hope to engage and your strategy for engagement.
7. Description of the activities and implementation plan to achieve the objectives.
8. Measurable outcomes of the project. For example, what impact will your efforts have on people, places or policy? What skills and knowledge will participants gain? How many educators will use the course materials?
9. Detailed budget that also includes any cost-share arrangements and plans for raising additional funds. Please use our budget form (save a copy to edit) to complete this item. This must be uploaded as an attachment to your application.

View descriptions of funded projects here.

Final deliverables are due no later than Friday, June 5, 2026 (a final report form will be sent to funded groups at the beginning of May), and should include:

1. Completed final summary report form describing the problem, objectives, activities, and the outcomes or results achieved.
2. Revised budget that provides accounting of actual funds spent.
3. Pictures showing your project in action (high resolution).

If you are unable to execute your project and you do not provide a final report by the deadline, the Woods Institute will rescind the award funds.