Graduate Dual-Degree
Impact Projects
Impact Projects are the signature action-based learning opportunity of the Erb Institute.
Have an idea that will drive business sustainability impact? Consider applying for Impact Project funding! Impact Projects are your opportunity to take your learning into your own hands. We offer financial support to help bring your ideas to life. Impact Projects have the additional benefit of helping to build your capacity and network and further your career goals. Past projects have included hands-on field experiences, prototyping for social enterprise start-ups and participation at sustainability conferences.
Think Big
As an Erb student, we’ll encourage you to think outside of the box and create a project that will help you grow as a student and as a steward of the environment. On the largest scale, we’ve had students work with former Peace Corps partners to launch impact-driven projects.
Outside the Classroom
While many Impact Projects are large in scale, we also offer this funding as an opportunity for you to take your learning outside of the University of Michigan campus. Utilize Impact Project funding to attend sustainability conferences, compete in case competitions, and present at symposiums.
Sustainability + DEI
Diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental and racial justice are a core part of our work at the Erb Institute. When you scope an Impact Project, we’ll encourage you to seek out projects that advance work at the nexus of business, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Project highlight
Women’s Empowerment in Ecuador
Design your own project
Partner with Erb staff to scope your project
As an Erber, you’ll be balancing curricular requirements and co-curricular opportunities offered at both Ross and SEAS. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the breadth of options for impact. Erb staff is here to support you as you contemplate and design your Impact Project. Many Erb students design and launch multiple Impact Projects during their time at the Erb Institute.
Partnership Projects
In addition to sourcing your own projects, you’ll also have an opporutnity to work with businesses through projects sourced directly by the Erb Institute faculty and staff. We work closely with businesses and non-profit partners within our network to drive sustainability initiatives forward. You will have the opportunity to join specialized project teams in order to tackle pressing business challenges and provide recommendations to improve sustainability outcomes. Projects are typically a semester in length and students receive a stipend for their work. Sample companies have included Amazon, Lime, Panera and Carhartt.