President Bush recently signed into law the Higher Education Sustainability Act, which earmarks $50 million for at least 25 competitive grants to universities aimed to pilot breakthrough sustainability curricula, programs and practices. It’s the first such federal program authorized in 18 years. It also directs the Department of Education to convene a national summit on best practices and opportunities for collaboration.

“Our young people know the stakes,” says Senator Patty Murray of Washington State, who helped sponsor the bill. “They know that developing sustainable energy programs will affect their lives, their economic well-being and the planet they are inheriting.”

Higher education is a natural incubator for solutions that connect the dots in addressing the nation’s challenges in energy, national security, sustainable economic development, environmental protection and social justice. The new grants will support college students in taking the reins of the sustainability movement.