Robotic touch sensors are not just skin deep
May 2, 2025
Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations, UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement have launched a new grant program to help support innovative, community-driven sustainability initiatives in Evanston and Skokie.
“This partnership and this program will empower local organizations and communities to implement projects that promote environmental stewardship, resource efficiency and social equity,” said EL Da’ Sheon Nix, Northwestern’s director of Evanston community relations.
The Sustainable Communities Grant program will provide two grants of $2,500 each year. The deadline to apply this year is June 27. Recipients will be notified in August, and grants will be awarded in September.
Projects should meet these objectives:
- Advance sustainable practices in the Evanston and Skokie communities, such as energy reduction, water conservation, waste management and eliminating food insecurities
- Foster community engagement and collaboration in addressing environmental challenges
- Encourage innovation and replicable solutions that can be scaled or adapted by other communities
Eligibility requirements:
- Project addresses at least one of the program objectives listed above
- Nonprofit organization status in the state of Illinois
- Projects must be based in the cities of Evanston or Skokie
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance: Alignment with the grant objectives
- Impact: Potential to deliver measurable environmental or community benefits
- Feasibility: Likelihood of successful implementation within the funding period
- Innovation: Creativity and uniqueness of the approach
- Community involvement: Level of engagement and collaboration with community members
- Partnership optimization: Does this project/program include any external partnerships?
Visit the Northwestern’s Neighborhood and Community Relations website to learn more, see a list of FAQs and contact the grant administrators.
