Diversity Fund
Information on applying to the Diversity Fund, an annual fund for the advancement of diversity at Oxford
The University of Oxford is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected. The Diversity Fund is a £70,000 annual fund which provides small grants to initiatives aimed at furthering this commitment, with the aim of delivering a lasting change in culture across the collegiate University.
The next call for applications will be in Trinity term 2023.
See below for more details on making an application.
If you have any further questions, email: diversity.fund@admin.ox.ac.uk
Applications are welcome for funding of a wide range of initiatives that will further the University’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. These might include positive action initiatives in support of under-represented groups and initiatives designed to disseminate and accelerate implementation of good practice. Applications can be made in respect of any under-represented group where a clear need can be demonstrated.
Applications should show how they:
- Contribute to the institution's equality and diversity priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan.
- Demonstrate breadth of impact, through benefit to staff and/or students across a number of departments/divisions, and/or clear plans for good practice to be applied more widely, and/or clear plans for external influence.
- Address challenges identified in new ways.
- Demonstrate how the impact of the project will be sustained beyond the initial funding period.
Funding is unlikely to be awarded for:
- Standalone events, with no demonstrable legacy.
- A project which benefits only a single department.
- Activities which form part of the normal day-to-day operations of a department.
- Activities for which we would normally expect other financial support to exist within the University or externally, including funding for a member of staff.
- Activities which would require recurrent funding in order to continue beyond the initial funding period.
Applications should be made via the Diversity Fund application form only and sent to diversity.fund@admin.ox.ac.uk by Monday 27 June.
All applicants should consult with appropriate central University and divisional teams in developing their application to ensure that the proposed project is appropriate and does not duplicate any ongoing work in this area. E.g. an application proposing schools outreach activities should seek the input of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach.
Student applicants must have the support of an academic sponsor and agreement that funds will be administered by a University department. The role of the sponsor is to provide informal advice on the design and delivery of the project and mentoring on complying with relevant University policies and processes (e.g. research ethics, where appropriate).
Your divisional EDI Co-ordinator or the EDU (email diversity.fund@admin.ox.ac.uk) can give informal advice on the suitability of your proposal.
Bids will be shortlisted by a panel made up of representatives from the academic Divisions, GLAM and the Equality and Diversity Unit (EDU). The final decision will be made by a smaller panel made up of senior representatives of each Division and of the EDU. The panel will be chaired by Martin Williams, PVC Education.
There is no upper or lower limit on the value of awards, but the higher the sum requested the more exceptional the case will need to be. Total funding of £70,000 is available.
Funds will be available from August and must be spent by 31 July of the following year.
Applications will be accepted for projects with funding phased across more than one year: in such cases, funds would be released annually.
Each successful project lead will be required to conduct an evaluation of the project and complete an evaluation template within one year of the end of the project.
