BSL PRIZE

BLANCHARD SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP PRIZE

The goal of the Blanchard Sustainability Leadership Prize (BSL Prize) is to inspire and develop the next generation of sustainability leaders we’ll need to address the existential threats facing humanity and our planet. Each prize winner will propose, lead, and complete a unique sustainability project of their own design and present their project at a professional sustainability conference of their choice. There will be two winners each fall and spring semester.

Here’s a little intro video to the BSL Prize:

BSL PRIZE BENEFITS

  • Up to $5,000 to fund your sustainability project and conference attendance costs. Expenses may include but are not limited to project materials, research expenses for the project, event costs related to the project, project marketing expenses, and conference expenses (fees, travel, lodging, etc.).
  • Earn 2 Experiential Learning credits – one EL for each full spring or fall semester during the prize period

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

  • Judy Genshaft Honors College student in good standing
  • Completed the Acquisition of Knowledge course (IDH2010)
  • Completed or enrolled in a sustainability course (either Honors or USF)
  • Minimum 3.35 GPA
  • There are no academic major requirements – any honors student with a good idea can apply
  • Must have at least one year remaining before graduation

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

  • Project must be completed within the 13-month BSL Prize period
  • Applicant must have a Project Mentor who is a full-time USF faculty member
  • Project must address one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Project will be evaluated based on its merit, impact, and viability

CONFERENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • Conference must be primarily focused on sustainability
  • Winner must present their project at the conference (poster session, presentation, etc.)
  • Any costs over the $5,000 limit of the BSL Prize are the winner’s responsibility
  • Conference attendance can occur after the BSL Prize period if requested
  • Winner must still be an undergraduate student for BSL Prize conference funding

APPLICATION TIMELINES

APPLICATION FORM

The application to compete for the BSL Prize consists of an electronic form to document some of your data and provide a place where you can post a link to the video you’ve composed explaining your sustainability project and why you should be selected for the BSL Prize. The link to the form is below and will open and close on the dates listed above.

APPLICATION VIDEO

In your application video, you make the case for winning the BSL Prize. Following are some key elements of your video:

  • Video duration is between 4 and 6 minutes long
  • Start with you facing the camera and introducing yourself (name, major, GPA, graduation date, prior and/or current sustainability college coursework, any prior sustainability experience, and anything else you’d like to say about yourself)
  • Describe your proposed sustainability project – give your “elevator pitch” and state which Sustainable Development Goal(s) you’re addressing with your project
  • Post a graphic of your schedule for the project and explain how you’ll complete the project in the 13-month BSL Prize period
  • Post a table of your project budget and explain the costs
  • Post a picture or short clip of your project mentor and describe the person (name, position at USF, research interests, etc.). Note that your mentor must have already agreed to support you on your project prior to submitting your application.  
  • State two possible sustainability conferences (a primary and a backup) you are considering, the dates/locations of each, and the costs associated with each (conference fees, travel/airfare, hotel, food, etc.)
  • State how much of the $5,000 BSL Prize you estimate will be left over after project and conference costs (note that any remaining funds will be used for future BSL Prizes)
  • Conclude your video by stating what winning the BSL Prize would mean for you and how it can help you achieve your professional goals
  • Post a link to your video on the application form and make sure the video can be downloaded

PROJECT UPDATES

Winners will provide in-person updates on their projects during regularly scheduled meetings with the BSL Prize team. There will be two meetings in the spring, typically in the first week of February and the first week of April. For the fall, the meetings will typically be in the first week of September and the first week of November. During these meetings, winners will present the status of their projects (cost, performance, and schedule) and any issues they’re having via a PowerPoint presentation. Winners are encouraged to also bring short, relevant videos of their projects as well.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about the BSL Prize, please email Marco Nardiello