EDI Project Fund

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project Fund 2024

‘Building Solidarity in our University Community’

Call for Applications

The Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (OVPEDI) in collaboration with the Access Centre and the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Campus Committee (EDICC) is pleased to launch the 2024/25 EDI Project Fund. The fund is available to staff and students with grants normally ranging from €1,000 – €5,000.

• Deadline for applications – 17:00, 24th of October 2024

Background

The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Campus Committee (established in 2016) sets the framework for equality and inclusivity in providing an education and employment across the University through the development of operational work programmes and sub-committees in 5 strategic :

1. Gender Equality/Athena Swan
2. Race Equality
3. Ending Sexual Violence & Harassment
4. Widening Participation
5. Universal Design & Access

Objective of the Call

The EDI Project Fund was established by the OVPEDI in 2017 with the aim of facilitating staff and student led equality/inclusion initiatives and to promote and celebrate diversity in all areas of life in the University. It is specially designed to facilitate innovative equality projects that might otherwise not receive funding.

The primary objectives of the 2024/25 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project Fund are:

• to encourage innovative approaches to fostering a sense of ‘solidarity’ among the diverse university community
• to support the implementation of institutional policy objectives and actions as set out in the following frameworks and action plans:
  • Gender Equality Action Plan
  • Race Equality Framework & Action Plan (REFAP)
  • Universal Design & Accessibility Policy and Action Plan
  • ESVH Framework Implementation Action Plan
  • Widening Participation Report
• to encourage collaboration among diverse groups of staff, students and community partners as a means to taking an intersectional approach in practice to achieving equality and inclusivity.

Call Priority Areas

Applications for funding under the EDI Project Fund can be made in 3 broad areas.

1. Advancing equality & inclusion at University of Galway (€15,000)
   1. Supporting the implementation of institutional policy objectives and action plans listed above
   2. Advancing awareness and understanding of intersectionality and multi-dimensional approaches to EDI
2. Advancing race equality at University of Galway (€20,000)
   1. Supporting the implementation of the Race Equality Framework and Action Plan including events for Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism week
   2. Advancing decolonising the curriculum, research, library collections and archives while prioritising perspectives of the global south, nomadism, indigenous and black studies
   3. Advancing widening participation at University of Galway (€10,000)
   4. Activities and events that support a sense of belonging and community for students from underrepresented groups in Higher Education
   5. Initiatives that support an awareness of higher education opportunities and supports for students from underrepresented groups

Project types

Each application must indicate the type of project or initiative proposed within the priority funding area:

1. Training and capacity building;
2. Resource allocation and research;
3. Supporting institutional collaboration and networks;
4. Campaigns and awareness-raising;
5. Institutional policy development / review / dialogue;
6. EDI and cultural events;

Eligibilty

Proposals may be made by individual people and groups, or by two or more people/groups in collaboration; a Project Organiser must be appointed as the point on contact and responsible party. Proposals from individual students/student groups must be linked with an appropriate staff member/Unit/School to provide mentorship.  Joint staff and student initiatives are particularly welcome. Overall, a balance will be sought in the allocation of funds with regard to student-led and staff initiatives, and between a variety of diversity groups, where possible.

Applying for a Grant

Applications must be submitted using the application form provided.

The closing date for receipt of applications 17:00pm 24^th of October 2024

Applications which are late, incomplete or do not display sufficient planning / attention to detail will not be considered.

Assessment and Selection

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project Fund will be overseen by a sub-committee appointed by the University Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Campus Committee.

The Sub-Committee will consider the applications received by the published deadline and will award funds to selected proposals following the selection process outlined below.

The EDI Project Fund will be awarded as several grants, across a variety of initiatives, based on the information provided in the application form. Normally grants will range from €1,000 – €5,000.

The EDI Project Fund will support activities which will enhance a sense of ‘solidarity’ among the diverse university community and support the implementation of institutional policy objectives and actions as set out in the quality frameworks and action plans:

1. Gender Equality/Athena Swan
2. Race Equality
3. Ending Sexual Violence & Harassment
4. Widening Participation
5. Universal Design & Access

Proposals will be judged according to the following criteria:

• Relevance to priority theme(s) / project types (20%)
• Expected benefit (impact) for University of Galway (30%)
• Expected benefit (impact) for wider society (10%)
• Originality and creative approach (20%)
• Value for money (20%)

The EDI Project Fund Sub-Committee will reserve the right to only award funds to those proposals which achieve an overall score of 70 or higher, noting that this could result in the full fund not being awarded at any particular time. Depending on the number and quality of the received proposals, not all projects scoring 70 or higher may receive funding, and the Sub-Committee reserves the right to award any particular project an amount of funding which is lower than the sum requested in the application.

For further information about the EDI Project Fund, see FAQs below.

 Frequently Asked Questions