Grants for Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Global Affairs, Inclusive Excellence, Sustainability and Grand Challenges are pleased to announce the call for grants, this year joined by Aggie Square as a new partner, to promote multidisciplinary collaborations focused on advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Grants for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals facilitate faculty and student engagement with economic, social, and environmental issues critical to humankind at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Addressing these complex challenges requires multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder collaborations.
The purpose of the SDG grants is to advance inclusive global dialogues and projects that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Grants are co-led by diverse, interdisciplinary teams of UC Davis faculty working equitably and sustainably alongside local and/or international partners. Potential partners include universities, research entities, NGOs, private sector organizations, or others who can help UC Davis further the creative exploration of how the SDGs provide a common language and platform for tackling challenges both locally and globally.
These may include, but are not limited to, the following collaborators:
- UC Davis units with strong community engagement (e.g. Aggie Square, Arboretum and Public Garden, Student Farm)
- Non-governmental organizations (e.g., service, advocacy, policy)
- City and county departments
- Local commissions and advisory bodies
- Think tanks and research institutes
- Private sector partners
Collaborations with these partners strengthen the impact and reach of SDG Grant projects by fostering reciprocal, equitable relationships that address shared challenges. Proposals should clearly articulate the role of each collaborator and demonstrate how the partnership will contribute to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in both local and global contexts.
Successful grants build on these partnerships to reinforce campus commitments to global and local collaborations, global learning, UC Davis Principles of Community and social and environmental sustainability. They are grounded in directly addressing the systemic inequities at the core of the SDGs.
To this end, grant funding may be used to support workshops, seminars, speaker series, knowledge sharing, trainings, or other events and activities. These may take place on the UC Davis campus, in the community, or at other venues worldwide, with UC Davis serving as a visible co-lead and/or organizer. Proposals for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events are all welcome.
Eligibility and Funds
UC Davis Academic Senate and Academic Federation members with PI status from any UC Davis location are eligible to apply. Proposals are encouraged from diverse groups of PIs/co-leads, with the primary PI required to be UC Davis faculty. Ideally, teams will include at least one international co-lead/collaborator and represent a range of disciplines and experiences. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students may participate in grant activities, but they may not serve as project leads. CAMPOS/CAMPSSAH scholars are encouraged to apply.
This year we expect to award up to five grants, each worth up to $7,500. Thanks to the support of Aggie Square, one of these awards will be reserved for a project that takes place at Aggie Square into its activities, partnerships or outcomes. Proposals should clearly describe how the project will engage Aggie Square's community, facilities or programmatic priorities while advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Timeline of Funding
Proposed activities should take place between March 2026 and March 2028.
Budget
Please use the budget worksheet on the cover page to develop your budget in accordance with UC and UC Davis policies and, when possible, in conversation with your departmental staff who will be administering the award if granted. The budget can include the following categories and must be accompanied by a budget narrative:
- Personnel (salaries, honoraria for speakers, etc.)
- Payment to personnel is closely governed by UC policies. Salaries for full-time university employees CANNOT be included in the budget.
- Travel and Entertainment (facility rentals/costs, food, transportation, etc.)
- Materials and Supplies
- Miscellaneous Services (conference fees, computer services, etc.)
Note: The budget is not subject to indirect costs.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Proposals should include the following elements:
- Project title
- Abstract and Project Description in Simple Language (up to 150 words each).
- Overview of the proposed collaborative, interdisciplinary project. This should include a clear articulation of the types of events or activities that the funding is meant to support, as well as how each of the different collaborating PIs will contribute to the project, including engaging diverse stakeholders (up to 1000 words).
- Outline the major phases of work, anticipated milestones and potential key deliverables. Explain how responsibilities will be distributed among collaborators and how the project will remain on track to meet its objectives within the proposed timeframe (up to 500 words).
- Description of how your proposal advances the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (up to 250 words).
- Explanation of how the proposal creates meaningful global learning opportunities for graduate, professional, and/or undergraduate students and how students will be included in your project (up to 250 words).
- Budget narrative. Explain briefly how funds will be spent and ensure that your budget adheres to UC Davis requirements (up to 250 words). Please see the budget portion of the cover page on the Global Affairs website for details regarding expenditures.
The submission portal will be open by October 15, 2025 and will close on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Grant awardees will be announced at the International Connections Reception.
Evaluation Criteria
We encourage applications for proposals that:
- Foster interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaborations;
- Engage diverse stakeholders (projects leads and audiences) to address a particular challenge, internationally and/or locally;
- Integrate concepts of UC Davis Principles of Community, as well as environmental and social sustainability, in its design, activities and intended impact;
- Incorporate well-articulated and visible connections to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
- Create meaningful educational opportunities for graduate, professional, and/or undergraduate students to engage in global learning, research or applied practice.
Evaluation Process
Applications will be read and evaluated by a review committee consisting of representatives from all sponsoring offices and a representative from the faculty. All applications will be ranked by at least two members of the review committee using the criteria above.
Final Reports
Grant recipients will be expected to submit a final report at the end of the award period. This report will include information about the project’s accomplishments and future plans. It will also request information about how the funds were expended. If the grant project takes place elsewhere, a brief presentation of the project and its results will also be required for the UC Davis community on campus. For prior awardees, a final report on your previous SDG Grant must be submitted before a new grant can be awarded. Repeat applicants must present projects that are different from those previously submitted.
More Information
Esther Luna DeLozier
Assistant Director of Partnerships and Faculty Engagement
Global Affairs
(530) 574-8545
eldelozier@ucdavis.edu