At the end of last year, we reached out to you all with an ask to support our community-sourced Green Chemistry Community Grant Award campaign. And as always, you answered. Thank you.
This was a competitive grant cycle, with eleven proposals and two winners. We are now honored to announce the two winning projects that will each be awarded $1,000 through the generous donations of scientists, advocates, and educators who contributed to our grant fund for its second year in operation. In our April newsletter introduction, our co-founder Amy Cannon shared her thoughts on the current state of the movement, and its greatest asset– this community. Amy is right. What sets us apart is the astounding ability we share to rally around one another in times of need. Beyond Benign could not exist without every one of you.
This grant fund is a testament to that fact. Reflecting upon our place in history, we feel immensely empowered and energized to share the following grant recipients of the 2025 Community Grant Fund. Below, you can read more about how the University of Connecticut and Topfaith University will be sparking the hope of green chemistry in their regions– carrying on the mission we hold dear– all during a time we will remember for its feeling of despair, and constant struggle.
Throughout the year, Beyond Benign’s corporate partners sponsor Green Chemistry Awards. If your organization would like to support the movement toward a green workforce, please reach out to Nicki Wiggins (nicki_wiggins@beyondbenign.org). The future begins with your contribution.
The University of Connecticut’s Green Chemistry Initiative (GCI), is the recipient of a 2025 Beyond Benign Community Grant for a proposal aimed at embedding green chemistry principles into the UConn Chemistry Department’s culture and curriculum. Led by the GCI’s president, Anietie Williams, the project seeks to raise awareness of green chemistry,, build institutional recognition for their initiative, and pave the way for their department to adopt the Green Chemistry Commitment. The group will host four seminars—two featuring external experts and two led by internal researchers—while leveraging student enthusiasm, strategic promotion, and faculty collaboration. This critical funding will enable guest travel and honoraria, as well as other event costs, otherwise inaccessible. The project targets 200 – 400 participants and aims to build lasting momentum for green chemistry at UConn.
Topfaith University’s Senior Lecture and Head of the Dept of Chemical Sciences, Dr Nnanake, along with fellow faculty members, has been awarded a 2025 Community Grant for a project dedicated to advancing green chemistry education in Nigerian universities.
The initiative focuses on enhancing the newly introduced undergraduate course, “Green and Sustainable Chemistry,” by training faculty through a specialized workshop, procuring essential learning resources, and raising student awareness through a targeted seminar. The project addresses significant gaps in faculty training and access to educational materials.
Dr. Offiong’s project will fund facilitator travel, venue rental, materials, and resource acquisition. A hybrid format and digital resources will supplement physical copies to ensure broader access to educators in the region. The initiative will engage 10 faculty members and approximately 100 students, with outreach extended to neighboring universities. Led by a qualified team of educators and researchers, this project aims to foster long-term capacity in green chemistry teaching and learning at Topfaith University and throughout Nigerian universities.
