Category: Greenbuild

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For Greenbuild 2017, in Boston from November 7–10, USGBC offers several scholarships to community changemakers who share our vision and have the drive to make green buildings and sustainable communities accessible to all people and populations. 

Scholarships are competitive and available to individuals with a demonstrated financial or other barrier to participation from audiences seeking to advance community health and sustainability through:

• Affordable housing: Nonprofit and governmental affordable housing providers
• Faith-based organizations: Houses of worship and faith-based missions
• Veterans affairs: Veterans seeking opportunities for training and community service
• Public and social services: Government, private and nonprofit  community organizations
• Schools, colleges and universities: K–12 schools designated as Title 1 by the U.S. Department of Education; private and charter schools and higher education campuses serving targeted populations (i.e., low-income communities, people with disabilities, minorities, etc); technical colleges, historically black colleges and universities
• Neighborhoods, districts and towns: Development organizations advancing health and sustainability in low-income neighborhoods, small towns, rural communities or reservations through the engagement of citizens with public and private institutions

Scholarship categories

• Local scholarships: These scholarships target applicants from the Boston area and include full conference registration to Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit. Deadline: Fri., July 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• Regional scholarships: These scholarships target U.S.-based applicants committed to long-term volunteer engagement with USGBC across our eight regions. Scholarship includes full conference registration to Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit, roundtrip airfare and four nights of shared hotel lodging in Boston. Deadline: Fri., July 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• International scholarships: These scholarships target applicants outside of the U.S. who are committed to long-term volunteer engagement with their nation’s green building council across five global regions. Scholarship includes full conference registration to Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit, roundtrip airfare and five nights of shared hotel lodging in Boston. Applicants must have approved access to enter the United States. This scholarship is specifically for individuals from developing nations in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Americas (Central America, South America, Canada and Mexico), the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. Deadline: Fri., June 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must

• Be 18 years or older as of September 30, 2017.
• Have not attended Greenbuild in the past.
• Guarantee attendance at Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit from Tues., November 7 to Fri., November 10, 2017.
• Not be USGBC staff, or hold a volunteer leadership position with USGBC.
• Demonstrate a valid and reasonable need for the scholarship, as evidenced by the inability to attend Greenbuild without one, due to financial, location and/or professional constraints.
• Demonstrate how his or her background merits receipt of a scholarship.
• Be committed to partnering with USGBC to advancing health and sustainability in local communities in 2018.

Applicants may only apply for one of the scholarships offered.

Are you under 25 or enrolled as a full-time student? You are also eligible for a three-day conference pass registration through USGBC’s volunteer program.

Questions about applying for a scholarship? Email USGBC.

Apply for a scholarship

Feature image: 

For Greenbuild 2017, in Boston from November 7–10, USGBC offers several scholarships to community changemakers who share our vision and have the drive to make green buildings and sustainable communities accessible to all people and populations. 

Scholarships are competitive and available to individuals with a demonstrated financial or other barrier to participation from audiences seeking to advance community health and sustainability through:

• Affordable housing: Nonprofit and governmental affordable housing providers
• Faith-based organizations: Houses of worship and faith-based missions
• Veterans affairs: Veterans seeking opportunities for training and community service
• Public and social services: Government, private and nonprofit  community organizations
• Schools, colleges and universities: K–12 schools designated as Title 1 by the U.S. Department of Education; private and charter schools and higher education campuses serving targeted populations (i.e., low-income communities, people with disabilities, minorities, etc); technical colleges, historically black colleges and universities
• Neighborhoods, districts and towns: Development organizations advancing health and sustainability in low-income neighborhoods, small towns, rural communities or reservations through the engagement of citizens with public and private institutions

Scholarship categories

• Local scholarships: These scholarships target applicants from the Boston area and include full conference registration to Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit. Deadline: Fri., July 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• Regional scholarships: These scholarships target U.S.-based applicants committed to long-term volunteer engagement with USGBC across our eight regions. Scholarship includes full conference registration to Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit, roundtrip airfare and four nights of shared hotel lodging in Boston. Deadline: Fri., July 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• International scholarships: These scholarships target applicants outside of the U.S. who are committed to long-term volunteer engagement with their nation’s green building council across five global regions. Scholarship includes full conference registration to Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit, roundtrip airfare and five nights of shared hotel lodging in Boston. Applicants must have approved access to enter the United States. This scholarship is specifically for individuals from developing nations in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Americas (Central America, South America, Canada and Mexico), the Asia/Pacific region and Europe. Deadline: Fri., June 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must

• Be 18 years or older as of September 30, 2017.
• Have not attended Greenbuild in the past.
• Guarantee attendance at Greenbuild and the Communities and Affordable Homes Summit from Tues., November 7 to Fri., November 10, 2017.
• Not be USGBC staff, or hold a volunteer leadership position with USGBC.
• Demonstrate a valid and reasonable need for the scholarship, as evidenced by the inability to attend Greenbuild without one, due to financial, location and/or professional constraints.
• Demonstrate how his or her background merits receipt of a scholarship.
• Be committed to partnering with USGBC to advancing health and sustainability in local communities in 2018.

Applicants may only apply for one of the scholarships offered.

Are you under 25 or enrolled as a full-time student? You are also eligible for a three-day conference pass registration through USGBC’s volunteer program.

Questions about applying for a scholarship? Email USGBC.

Apply for a scholarship

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Have you ever wondered where your trash ends up? I live in downtown Boston, and twice a week, a garbage truck comes through my North End neighborhood and picks up my trash. It magically disappears, but where does it go? Do you know where your trash goes? If you did know, would it change your behavior for how you handle your waste and recycling? What are the impacts on the environment, both inside and outside our cities?

The Greening Committee for Greenbuild 2017 wants to know the answers to these questions. Each year, Greenbuild challenges itself to walk the talk of sustainability. This year’s attendance goal of 30,000 means a lot of trash at our convention center in Boston, Massachusetts. How much trash will you put on the pile at Greenbuild 2017? USGBC plans to find out, while also engaging student volunteers to provide program information, or “talking trash,” at each waste and recycling station on the expo hall floor.

Reducing waste at Greenbuild—and in Massachusetts

In the months leading up to Greenbuild and also at the event, our committee will be talking about WasteWise, a program developed by the EPA. WasteWise helps organizations reduce their impact on global climate change through waste reduction. WasteWise also gives you a guide to tracking waste in EnergyStar Portfolio Manager. The WasteWise program will be the foundation for “talking trash” points at Greenbuild 2017.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is targeting a 30 percent reduction of trash by 2020 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050 from a 2008 baseline. As of 2015, Massachusetts had seen a 16 percent reduction. Like many other states across the U.S., Massachusetts is challenged with what do with its trash. The Commonwealth sends its waste to municipal landfills, incineration stations and other states via waste-by-rail. On the bright side, recycling has been a tremendous success in the Commonwealth. Another great initiative is “waste to energy” programs. Expect to learn more about the Commonwealth’s waste and recycling programs from Greenbuild 2017’s “talking trash” initiative.

The City of Boston will play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s waste reduction goals. Greenovate is Mayor Walsh’s initiative to get all Bostonians involved in eliminating pollution. My first involvement with Greenovate was acting as the energy efficiency and renewable energy manager for the City of Boston. Waste diversion strategies live within Greenovate’s Climate Action Plan. The City of Boston’s waste and recycling programs will also be part of the “talking trash” points at Greenbuild 2017.

How close can we get to zero?

What is Greenbuild 2017’s plan for waste diversion, and how can you participate? USGBC has a goal of moving Greenbuild toward being a zero waste event. In 2015, Greenbuild had an 84 percent waste diversion rate. This reached 90 percent in Los Angeles last year. How can we eliminate the last 10 percent? The Greening Committee believes the answers are education, innovation and the will to do good for future generations. We’ll provide the education, you provide the innovation and we will collaborate toward a waste-free future.

Go ahead, talk some trash on Twitter leading up to and at Greenbuild 2017 with @USGBC, @USGBCMA and @ToddIsherwood.

Learn more about Greenbuild 2017

Feature image: 

Have you ever wondered where your trash ends up? I live in downtown Boston, and twice a week, a garbage truck comes through my North End neighborhood and picks up my trash. It magically disappears, but where does it go? Do you know where your trash goes? If you did know, would it change your behavior for how you handle your waste and recycling? What are the impacts on the environment, both inside and outside our cities?

The Greening Committee for Greenbuild 2017 wants to know the answers to these questions. Each year, Greenbuild challenges itself to walk the talk of sustainability. This year’s attendance goal of 30,000 means a lot of trash at our convention center in Boston, Massachusetts. How much trash will you put on the pile at Greenbuild 2017? USGBC plans to find out, while also engaging student volunteers to provide program information, or “talking trash,” at each waste and recycling station on the expo hall floor.

Reducing waste at Greenbuild—and in Massachusetts

In the months leading up to Greenbuild and also at the event, our committee will be talking about WasteWise, a program developed by the EPA. WasteWise helps organizations reduce their impact on global climate change through waste reduction. WasteWise also gives you a guide to tracking waste in EnergyStar Portfolio Manager. The WasteWise program will be the foundation for “talking trash” points at Greenbuild 2017.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is targeting a 30 percent reduction of trash by 2020 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050 from a 2008 baseline. As of 2015, Massachusetts had seen a 16 percent reduction. Like many other states across the U.S., Massachusetts is challenged with what do with its trash. The Commonwealth sends its waste to municipal landfills, incineration stations and other states via waste-by-rail. On the bright side, recycling has been a tremendous success in the Commonwealth. Another great initiative is “waste to energy” programs. Expect to learn more about the Commonwealth’s waste and recycling programs from Greenbuild 2017’s “talking trash” initiative.

The City of Boston will play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s waste reduction goals. Greenovate is Mayor Walsh’s initiative to get all Bostonians involved in eliminating pollution. My first involvement with Greenovate was acting as the energy efficiency and renewable energy manager for the City of Boston. Waste diversion strategies live within Greenovate’s Climate Action Plan. The City of Boston’s waste and recycling programs will also be part of the “talking trash” points at Greenbuild 2017.

How close can we get to zero?

What is Greenbuild 2017’s plan for waste diversion, and how can you participate? USGBC has a goal of moving Greenbuild toward being a zero waste event. In 2015, Greenbuild had an 84 percent waste diversion rate. This reached 90 percent in Los Angeles last year. How can we eliminate the last 10 percent? The Greening Committee believes the answers are education, innovation and the will to do good for future generations. We’ll provide the education, you provide the innovation and we will collaborate toward a waste-free future.

Go ahead, talk some trash on Twitter leading up to and at Greenbuild 2017 with @USGBC, @USGBCMA and @ToddIsherwood.

Learn more about Greenbuild 2017

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Every year, USGBC offers scholarships to make Greenbuild accessible to people who would otherwise not be able to attend. 88 individuals received a scholarship to attend Greenbuild 2016 in Los Angeles. Scholarship recipients represent a diverse group of people from around the world who share a passion for USGBC’s vision. Each one has a story to tell and a role to play in making green buildings and sustainable communities a reality for all.

As we lead up to Greenbuild 2017 in Boston, we will highlight a handful of the awesome individuals who joined us in Los Angeles for Greenbuild. We welcome these folks to the USGBC community!

Marone Abraham

Hails from: Dallas, Texas

Sustainability background: I come from an immigrant family, and feel I understand the perspective of how people live outside the United States. Not everyone has the luxury of running water or frequent use of electricity. My parents are from Eritrea, in east Africa, a young nation that is only 25 years old. I plan to go there one day and contribute to the nation’s development. But to do that, I must understand what is important to developing cities. Currently, I am studying architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington. I am also minoring in environmental sustainability, to help me understand sustainable design and help make buildings more energy-efficient and resilient. I will one day become an architect that will help design environmentally friendly buildings and cities.

Most inspiring part of Greenbuild: The amount of people motivated to help the environment and homes we live in.

Next steps: I plan to be more involved with USGBC here in Dallas, and across the United States. Also, I plan on getting a LEED credential when I become a professional designer. As I am in school now, I will be learning as much as I can about the environment and what I can do to help make our Earth a better and safer place to live in.

Hager Abdelwahid 

Hails from: Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability background: I am an architect, teaching assistant and postgraduate student at Alexandria University in Egypt. I have three years of experience in the field of sustainable design and green architecture. I am currently pursuing a master’s of science degree in architecture to address the consequences of climate change on the densely populated areas in my country. In addition, I contributed to designing various projects, such as a resilient school in Manila, in the Philippines, for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan and a sustainable neighborhood for refugees and Austrian families in Vienna. I was able to work in multidisciplinary and international teams of architects, economists and civil engineers. Moreover, I have been working on the context of upgrading informal settlements while being a volunteer in NGOs to improve the infrastructure of these settlements.

Most inspiring part of Greenbuild: The speakers’ performances and their ability to express enthusiasm and exchange ideas with professionals from different backgrounds..

Next steps: As a teaching assistant, I am looking forward to conducting several seminars to transfer the knowledge I have acquired while attending Greenbuild to my students. Furthermore, I am planning to learn more about LEED and take the LEED AP Homes exam.

Carlos Rodriguez

Hails from: Chicago, Illinois

Sustainability background: I majored in construction management at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. I graduated in December 2016; the Greenbuild conference was my graduation trip! Currently, I work as a project engineer for a general contractor in Indianapolis. My hope is to expand my knowledge of green building to a point where I will be able to give advice to other builders, subcontractors and others on how the process works.

Most inspiring part of Greenbuild: Seeing the amount of people who really care about about many different issues the conference brings up.

Next steps: My goal for 2017 is to become a LEED Green Associate and to get involved with my local USGBC community. Earning my LEED AP BD+C is also a goal of mine, which I hope to achieve in late 2017.

Learn more about Greenbuild scholarships