4. Covid 19

Grant for Staff with Caring Responsibilities Impacted by Covid-19 

Title: Grant for Staff with Caring Responsibilities Impacted by Covid-19  

1.0 Purpose 

International research highlights the significant impact that Covid-19 and the associated worldwide lockdowns had a on the productivity of many staff with caring responsibilities (Parlak et al., 2021; Pereira, 2021; Pinho-Gomes et al., 2020; Utoft, 2020; Viglione, 2020). University of Galway wishes to support academic, research, professional support, and technical staff with caring responsibilities whose career trajectories have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This grant was established as a result of University of Galway’s Athena Swan activity. It is intended that this grant will provide support to minimise the impact of Covid-19 on staff career progression and research activities. 

2.0 Description 

The Grant for Staff with Caring Responsibilities Impacted by Covid-19 is valued at a maximum of €5,000 and can be applied for through the Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion via this link.  

This grant will be awarded on a competitive basis, with up to 10 such grants available to staff from across the University who can make a clear case that their productivity was impacted during Covid-19 as a direct result of their caring responsibilities. 

Successful applicants must provide evidence of how their usual output or performance was negatively impacted and therefore disadvantaged in terms of career progression e.g. fewer publications or research grants; fewer events organized; less participation on national or international committees; etc. than was the norm up to 2020. Detail in relation to how the funds will be used to support the applicant to apply for promotion or career opportunities should also be provided. 

The proposal should also be linked directly with the School/College/Unit strategy or operational plans and with specific, time-lined, measurable outputs. The proposed outputs and impact should be articulated and monitored in the annual Performance for Growth process, and awardees must provide a written report (one page maximum) within 1 year of uptake of the grant to their line manager, copied to the Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (OVPEDI).  

The grants will be allocated on a competitive basis including a short proposal, supported by the applicant’s line manager.  

Funding will be transferred to a nominated research account or unit cost centre as appropriate and must be drawn down and spent by September 2026. Funding may be spent at any time over the 18 month period and should be directly related to activities that will strengthen plans to apply for promotion or career progression.

3.0 Responsibilities