Sustainability Awards

Applications for 2025 are now open

The University of Melbourne's Sustainability Awards recognise students, staff and business partners who have championed sustainability through their studies, work, or extracurricular activities. These awards underscore the significant role everyone plays in achieving the targets of Sustainability Plan 2030 (SP2030).

Please complete your application under the relevant award category.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday 3 October 2025.

Project-Based Awards

These awards recognise impactful sustainability projects led by students, staff (individually or as a team), and University business partners. To apply, click the "Apply Now" button and ensure you include relevant supporting evidence in your application. Please note: each description below provides example ideas to help guide your application, but these are not comprehensive and you’re not required to follow them.

  • This award recognises initiatives that have effectively engaged students and staff in sustainability and fostered positive behaviour change.

    Eligibility
    • Open to students, staff and teams who have implemented an initiative that successfully engaged the University community in sustainability.
    • Nominated projects must be completed or in significant progress by 2025. Projects in planning stages or recently commenced are ineligible.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Projects are clearly aligned with the targets and objectives of the Sustainability Plan 2030.
    • Must demonstrate measurable engagement (e.g., increased participation, awareness, or behaviour change).
    • Can include campaigns, workshops, events, gamification strategies, or digital engagement tools.
    • Provide evidence of impact (e.g., survey results, increased sustainable actions, testimonials).
    Examples
    • A student-led food waste awareness campaign led to a 30 per cent reduction in cafeteria food waste.
    • A staff initiative that implemented a Green Impact team challenge, engaging 200+ participants.
    • A social media campaign that boosted sustainable transport adoption by 20 per cent.

  • This award acknowledges a project(s) that have improved the University’s environmental footprint through innovative sustainability solutions in waste, energy, water, biodiversity, transport, or procurement.

    Eligibility
    • Open to students, staff and teams who have implemented initiatives improving the University’s sustainability in operations (e.g., waste, water, energy, procurement, biodiversity, transport).
    • Nominated projects must be completed or in significant progress by 2025. Projects in planning stages or recently commenced are ineligible.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Projects are clearly aligned with the targets and objectives of the Sustainability Plan 2030.
    • Must demonstrate tangible operational improvements (e.g., energy savings, waste reduction, biodiversity enhancement).
    • Should be scalable or replicable for broader adoption.
    • Provide baseline and outcome data where possible.
    Examples
    • A student-led initiative that introduced reusable containers in campus cafés, reducing single-use waste by 40 per cent.
    • A facilities team that installed energy-efficient lighting across multiple buildings, cutting energy use by 15 per cent.
    • A biodiversity restoration project that increased native plant species on campus.

  • This award acknowledges a project(s) completed by University of Melbourne academic staff, centred on Teaching and Learning. This award celebrates academic staff or teams that have integrated sustainability into teaching, learning, or student engagement activities.

    Eligibility
    • Open to academic staff or teams who have embedded sustainability into the curriculum, student learning, or experiential education.
    • Nominated projects must be completed or in significant progress in 2025. Projects in planning stages or recently commenced are ineligible.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Projects have a clear alignment with the targets and objectives of the Sustainability Plan 2030.
    • Must demonstrate how sustainability has been incorporated into teaching (e.g., curriculum changes, fieldwork, student projects).
    • Should include student feedback or impact measurement.
    • Can include innovative teaching methods such as project-based learning, interdisciplinary approaches, or industry partnerships.
    Examples
    • A subject that requires students to work with local businesses to improve their sustainability practices.
    • A flipped classroom model where students analyse sustainability case studies and implement solutions.
    • A co-curricular program that trains students to conduct sustainability audits on campus.

  • This award acknowledges a project(s) completed by University of Melbourne researchers or research teams that have demonstrated collaboration, innovation, and impact in sustainability research.

    Eligibility
    • Open to researchers or research teams whose work has significantly contributed to sustainability challenges.
    • Nominated projects must be completed or in significant progress in 2025. Projects in planning stages or recently commenced are ineligible.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Projects have a clear alignment with the targets and objectives of the Sustainability Plan 2030.
    • Must demonstrate clear research outcomes and practical applications.
    • Can be interdisciplinary or focus on environmental, social, or economic sustainability.Must show how research findings have influenced policy, industry, or community practices.
    Examples
    • A research project leading to the development of biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
    • A study on Indigenous land management practices adopted by local councils.
    • A carbon footprint analysis that resulted in policy changes at the University.

  • This award recognises a program(s) or initiative(s) led by businesses, retailers, or external partners with the University to promote sustainability.

    Eligibility
    • Open to businesses, retailers, and external partners working with the University to promote sustainability.
    • Nominated projects must be completed or in significant progress in 2025. Projects in planning stages or recently commenced are ineligible.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Projects have a clear alignment with the targets and objectives of the Sustainability Plan 2030.
    • Must demonstrate impact in collaboration with the University.
    • Can include supply chain sustainability, ethical procurement, or sustainability-driven services.
    • Should include testimonials or measurable outcomes.
    Examples
    • A catering company that eliminated single-use plastics for all University events.
    • A local business that provided sustainable internship opportunities for students.

Individual-Based Awards

These awards recognise impactful sustainability projects led by students, staff (individually or as a team), and University business partners. To apply, click the "Apply Now" button and ensure you include relevant supporting evidence in your application. Please note: each description below provides example ideas to help guide your application, but these are not comprehensive and you’re not required to follow them.

  • This award recognises a student who has contributed to sustainability initiatives both on campus and within the broader University community. They have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in sustainability.

    Eligibility
    • Open to individual students leading impactful sustainability initiatives.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Must demonstrate leadership and initiative in driving sustainability efforts.
    • Impact should be measurable (e.g., number of people engaged, resources saved).
    • Can include advocacy, entrepreneurship, research, or community projects.
    Examples
    • A student who launched a circular economy club to reduce textile waste on campus.
    • A PhD student whose research led to sustainable policy changes within the University.
    • A student group that implemented a community garden, reducing food insecurity.

  • This award recognises an academic staff member who has contributed to sustainability initiatives both on campus and within the broader University community through research, teaching, or engagement.

    Eligibility
    • Open to academic staff leading in sustainability research, teaching, or advocacy.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Must show commitment to sustainability in their academic field.
    • Can include course development, mentorship, public engagement, or research impact.
    • Should include testimonials from students, peers, or industry partners.
    Examples
    • A lecturer who redesigned a core subject to embed sustainability principles.
    • A professor whose research influenced national climate policies.
    • An academic who secured grants to support student sustainability projects.

  • This award recognises a professional staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to sustainability, regardless of whether it falls within their formal position responsibilities.

    Eligibility
    • Open to non-academic staff who have driven sustainability efforts that are not within their role.
    • Past winners of the University of Melbourne Awards for Excellence and/or faculty-based awards are eligible for nomination.
    Nomination Criteria
    • Must demonstrate how sustainability has been embedded into workplace practices.
    • Can include process improvements, resource efficiency, engagement programs, or policy advocacy.
    • Should show measurable impact within their department or the broader University.
    Examples
    • An administrative officer who introduced a paperless workflow system, reducing waste by 80 per cent.
    • A procurement officer who led a shift to sustainable purchasing policies.
    • A library staff member who launched a sustainability book club and engagement series.

Important note

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday 3rd October 2025.

Winners will be announced at the Sustainability Awards Ceremony on 5 November 2025