Registration opened Sept. 4 for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Campus RainWorks Challenge. Student teams of undergraduate and graduate students are invited to create an innovative green infrastructure design for a site on their campus showing how managing stormwater at its source can benefit the campus community and the environment. Winning teams will earn a cash prize, as well as research funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure. Green infrastructure uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage stormwater and create healthier urban environments.

To compete, student teams — working with a faculty advisor — must submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project on their campus. Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013. Two first-place winners each will receive a $2500 cash award and $11,000 in research funding; two second-place winners each will receive a $1500 cash award and $8000 in research funding. Teams must register by Oct. 5 and submit their entries by Dec. 14.  In 2013, EPA plans to expand the campus RainWorks Challenge by inviting students to design and complete a demonstration project assessing innovative green infrastructure approaches on their campuses. Learn more and register.