Get Involved

Facilities Services offers several opportunities to get involved with sustainability at CSUN. Please read below to learn more. 

CSUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fellowship Program

Applications Will Open Soon for Our Next Cohort!

Program Overview

The CSUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fellowship Program is a campus-wide professional and academic development opportunity designed to deepen sustainability knowledge, skills, and engagement across the university.

Through a partnership with Second Nature, the program supports students in pursuing a sustainability-related certification of their choice. Rather than selecting from a predetermined list of university offerings, each student will propose a certification that aligns with their academic interests, career goals, professional responsibilities, or personal commitment to sustainability.

The proposed certification may address any area of sustainability, including environmental stewardship, climate action, sustainable development, social responsibility, environmental justice, sustainable business, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green building, waste reduction, water management, sustainable transportation, or related fields.

Selected fellows receive funding support to complete an approved certification at no cost to them. Fellows are responsible for researching and proposing a certification and explaining how it will contribute to their academic, professional, or community goals.

By bringing together students from across disciplines, the fellowship fosters cross-campus collaboration and builds long-term capacity for sustainability leadership within the CSUN community.

What Fellows Do

Fellows will:

  • Research and identify a sustainability-related certification offered by a reputable institution or organization
  • Submit a proposal explaining why the certification is relevant to their academic, professional, or personal goals
  • Describe how the certification connects to sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
  • Explain how they plan to apply and share what they learn
  • Complete the approved certification within the fellowship timeframe
  • Participate in required cohort activities, including:
    • A mandatory kickoff meeting introducing program goals, expectations, and fellow participants
    • Ongoing support with certification enrollment, progress, and completion
    • A midpoint check-in to share insights, troubleshoot challenges, and stay on track
    • A final close-out meeting where fellows reflect on their learning and present key takeaways
    • A final evaluation survey

Together, these components support fellows throughout the program while creating a shared learning community focused on sustainability education and action.

Certification Proposal Requirements

Applicants may propose any sustainability-related certification, provided they can demonstrate that it is appropriate, credible, and relevant to their goals. Proposals should include:

  • The name and provider of the certification
  • A brief description of the certification and its learning outcomes
  • The sustainability topic or topics addressed
  • The connection to the applicant’s academic program, career interests, campus role, or community involvement
  • The anticipated time commitment and completion timeline
  • The certification cost and funding requested
  • A plan for applying the knowledge or skills gained
  • A plan for sharing key lessons or outcomes with the CSUN community

Certifications may be offered online, in person, or through a hybrid format. Additional guidance on eligible certifications, proposal expectations, and funding limits will be provided during the application process.

Who Can Apply

The fellowship is open to CSUN students across all disciplines, including:

  • Undergraduate students
  • Graduate students

Applicants do not need prior expertise in sustainability. Successful applicants should demonstrate interest, motivation, and a realistic plan for completing their proposed certification.

How Fellows Are Selected

Fellows are chosen through an online application process reviewed by a cross-campus evaluation team. Applications are scored using a standardized rubric that considers:

  • Motivation and purpose
  • Relevance of the proposed certification to the applicant’s studies or goals
  • Quality and credibility of the proposed certification
  • Potential impact on campus or the broader community
  • Preparedness, feasibility, and realistic timeline
  • Commitment to learning and growth
  • Equity and access considerations, if applicable

Approximately 20 fellows will be selected for each annual cohort.

Program Timeline

The timeline is approximate and may vary each year:

  • Application period opens — dates posted each cycle
  • Application deadline — to be announced
  • Proposal review and selection
  • Fellow notification
  • Mandatory kickoff meeting
  • Certification approval, enrollment, and coursework
  • Midpoint check-in — approximately 2–3 months into the program
  • Certification completion
  • Close-out meeting and fellow presentations
  • Final evaluation survey

Apply

Student Sustainability Research Incentive Program (SSRIP) for Fall 2026

Position Overview

Student Sustainability Research Incentive Program (SSRIP) research assistants support CSUN’s sustainability goals through applied research, data analysis, and project-based work aligned with the university’s Roadmap to Sustainability. The program provides hands-on experience working on real-world sustainability initiatives in collaboration with the MA Sustainability Program Director and the Facilities Sustainability Team.

There are four SSRIP positions available, one in each focus area below. Students will apply ranking the projects based on interest and skills.

Commitments and Expectations for Fellows:

  • Be enrolled as a student at CSUN during the fall 2026 semester.
  • Attend kick-off meeting in September 2026
  • Meet with your Project Supervisor(s) regularly.
  • Complete training offered by the Project Supervisor(s) as needed.
  • Meet regular project benchmarks as outlined in your project agreement
  • Participate in 5-10 hours of community engagement through campus and local sustainability events
  • Complete final deliverables by December 2026
  • Complete a final report by January 2027
  • Communicate with your Project Supervisor(s) if you are unable to comply with any of the commitments and expectations stated above or as may be added by written notification during the Program.

Eligibility

There are four SSRIP positions available for Fall 2026:

  • Three fellowships are available for CSUN Sustainability MA students, with a priority on students in their second year who have not yet held a position with SSRIP. First-year MA students and second-year students who have already held SSRIP positions are still eligible to apply, and will be considered based on position availability.
  • One fellowship is available for a CSUN undergraduate student with an interest in Sustainability. Undergraduates majoring in Environmental Science or minoring in Sustainability are especially encouraged to apply.

Sust Research Fellow Projects Fall 26.pdf

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application using the form linked below and be sure to attach a copy of a resume and a brief cover letter.

Apply Here