How the institution works
UNIL mobilises its innovative strength to stimulate the emergence of academic and professional practices that are in line with global limits. As a place of transformative experimentation, UNIL helps to develop practices that are beneficial to human health and the environment in order to enhance the quality of life on campus.
With its 90-hectare campus, 35 buildings and a ‘population’ of more than 20,000, UNIL is like a small town facing a number of challenges, not least the ecological transition. As a university, UNIL is fortunate to be home to a dynamic research community and a large number of students keen to put into practice the knowledge they learn in their courses. UNIL is therefore a great place to test ambitious transition initiatives, document their effects, adjust them if necessary and then share them with the rest of society.
On the basis of a precise diagnosis of its environmental impact, UNIL plans to implement targeted actions on its main areas of impact in order to be on a trajectory compatible with respect for the Paris Agreement and planetary limits.
Transition Acceleration Fund
Bringing UNIL's environmental impact within planetary limits means transforming the way the University currently operates. A Transition Acceleration Fund has been set up to support all parts of UNIL in the rapid implementation of actions with high transformative potential.
This fund will be used to finance one-off projects that will enable practices to evolve over the long term and to initiate the reallocation of human and financial resources in order to anchor the ecological transition in all the University's operations.
This is a UNIL management fund, under the responsibility of the Vice-Rector for Ecological Transition and Campus, which is used to finance one-off projects in departments and faculties that have the potential to accelerate the ecological transition and sustainably transform practices and processes.
Both external costs and salaries can be financed by this fund.
All UNIL staff may apply for funding from the Transition Acceleration Fund. Applications from central services must be approved by the head of service. Applications from faculties must be approved by the head of the unit (department, institute, etc.) or by the dean's office, depending on the amount requested.
Student associations and initiatives wishing to submit a funding application are invited to write directly to transition@unil.ch to arrange a meeting with someone from the Ecological Transition and Campus Department, who will be able to point them in the direction of the various possible sources of funding for student projects.
Projects can be submitted at any time via the link below.
For projects requesting less than CHF 10,000, the evaluation is carried out by the CAP2037 Steering Committee within approximately 4 weeks.
For projects requesting more than CHF 10,000, an in-depth evaluation will be carried out by two experts from the Transition Unit within approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
The projects supported must start within 3 months of being approved.
Three levels of funding can be requested:
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From CHF 5,000 to CHF 10,000. For central services, approval is required from the head of service. For faculties, requires the approval of the head of the unit (department, institute, etc.).
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From CHF 10,000 to CHF 30,000. For central services, requires the approval of the head of service. For faculties, approval from the Dean's Office is required.
- More than CHF 30,000. Co-financing required, amount to be discussed on a case-by-case basis at a meeting with the Ecological Transition and Campus Department (transition@unil.ch). For central services, approval from the head of department is required. For faculties, approval is required from the Dean's Office.
Projects proposing co-financing and/or demonstrating follow-up on other funding are encouraged.
Targeted actions
Find out more about diagnosisOn the basis of a precise diagnosis of its environmental impact, UNIL plans to implement targeted actions on its main areas of impact in order to be on a trajectory compatible with the Paris Agreement and planetary limits.