Sustainable Energy Award Details
Before you apply, please take a moment to review the award details below.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a public high school (grades 9-12) located in the United States or charter school that is at least 50% or more publicly funded by U.S. tax dollars.
- Schools must have used technology and engaged students in the process of reducing their consumption of energy to be eligible to apply.
- Schools that have received the Green Prize in Public Education, including merit winners, are not eligible to apply for the Sustainable Energy Award.
- Schools with teachers who have won the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award, including merit winners, are not eligible to apply for the Sustainable Energy Award.
Criteria for Award Selection
The criteria below are the basis for reviewing and scoring the award. Applications are reviewed and scored to develop award recommendations. Top scores are then reviewed and final decisions made.
A successful application:
- Describes the story behind the school-wide energy efficiency effort:
- What inspired the school to take on the challenge?
- What energy efficiency measures did the school put in place?
- How did the school implement the changes?
- Who championed the process?
- What community support did the school receive?
- Shows how technology is used to achieve school-wide energy efficiency goals. This may include:
- How the use of technology allowed the school to implement energy efficiency measures it would otherwise have been unable to implement.
- How the use of technology encouraged creative and innovative solutions to energy efficiency challenges.
- How the use of technology resulted in increased energy efficiency.
- Describes how students were engaged in school-wide energy efficiency efforts and how the energy efficiency measures serve as a teaching and education tool. This may include:
- How students and teachers were involved in the decision-making process and implementation of energy efficiency features.
- How students and teachers are involved in the ongoing monitoring of the school’s energy efficiency efforts.
- How the energy efficiency features are promoted throughout the school to help educate students, teachers, administrators, staff, parents and visitors about how the school is working to increase energy efficiency.
- How energy efficiency measures at the school have supported student learning, including achievement in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
- Demonstrates a vision or plan for the sustainability and advancement of the school-wide energy efficiency efforts.
Funding Restrictions
Funds are intended to be used towards additional school-wide energy efficiency measures.
Submission
Sustainable Energy Award applications are accepted only through our online system. Follow these steps to register and apply:
- Click “Apply Now!” below.
- You will be taken to a Log On page. If you have not created an account from a previous NEEF grant or award, select “Create New Account.” If you have previously created an account with NEEF, skip to step 4.
- Follow the instructions to create your account. It will ask you for your contact information as the account holder and the contact information for your school’s representative. For example, you may be the teacher leading the school’s energy efficiency efforts, but want the principal’s name on the application as the representative.
- Upon creating an account, it will take you to your home screen. To apply, click “Apply.” You will be taken to a list of NEEF grants and awards. Select Sustainable Energy Award 2012 to begin your application.
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Complete the application. Remember:
- You can save your application and return later.
- We recommend you use the Word version of the application to create your narrative. This will allow you to edit and spell check as needed. Once you have your answers complete, cut and past them into the online application.
- Pay close attention to character limits. These limits include spaces!
- Once you have completed the application and uploaded all attachments, click “Submit Form” to officially apply. If you do not click Submit Form, you will not have applied. You will also receive a confirmation screen and email upon submitting. If you are not directed to the screen or do not receive an email, your application has not been submitted.
If you have any questions or problems, please consult our FAQ or contact us at grantsadmin@neefusa.org.
