Five years ago, the Sustainable Cities Initiative (SCI) developed its groundbreaking model for linking the sustainability projects of an Oregon city to existing student class work at the UO.

Now the Sustainable City Year Program model (SCYP) is being replicated at 18 universities across the country, and the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC) has awarded SCI a grant to implement the model in even more communities.

The new NITC grant will fund the creation of training materials - including webinars, in-person support, and a student project catalog - that will teach cities and university administrators the nuts and bolts of running an SCYP program. The NITC grant specifically aims to encourage administrators in the transportation field to launch SCYP-based programs.

According to SCI Co-Director Nico Larco, the simplicity of the SCYP model is very attractive to other universities.

“As can be seen from the range of universities that have started SCYP programs, the model is easily adaptable across the country and internationally.  The SCYP model leverages the work happening in universities and points it towards real-world problems cities are facing, connecting students and faculty to city officials, staff, and community members.  It is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Larco.