Once a P3 Phase I grant has been awarded, each new P3 team spends the academic year designing, researching and developing their proposed solution to a sustainability challenge. This can involve any number of things including literature reviews, laboratory and field studies, and site visits to developing communities.

Teams have approached this work through different strategies that have included core and elective courses, new courses and extra-curricular activities. At the end of Phase I, the final report on the project is due and teams are expected to develop an exhibit to bring to the National Sustainable Design Expo. Judges from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) evaluate both the reports and exhibits and recommend the winners of the P3 Awards and eligibility for Phase II funding to the EPA. EPA then makes the final decisions on the P3 winners.