A new program sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will provide institutional seed grant funding to support new and existing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at CU Boulder starting in summer 2023.

Academic and administrative units, students, staff and faculty can find more details about the Impact Grant program and parameters for submitting proposals at the DEI Resources Hub, a campus SharePoint site that requires a CU Boulder login.

The Impact Grant program is a recommendation from the Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics or IDEA Plan. Grant proposals for summer 2023 are due on Jan. 17, and proposals for the 2023-24 academic year are due on Feb. 13. Faculty and staff interested in becoming a proposal reviewer should complete a short application.

“We are calling for grant proposals that focus on supporting and highlighting programs and other campus initiatives that clearly outline how to operationalize and enhance a planning unit’s capacity to deepen progress on the campus’s five DEI goals,” said David Humphrey, assistant vice chancellor for DEI, who is leading the grant program for the campus.

The five DEI goals, inspired by the IDEA Plan, focus on employee skills and development, student achievement outcomes, community building, employee recruitment outcomes, and preparing students to participate in a diverse democracy.

Academic and administrative units may submit multiple proposals for grant funding consideration, Humphrey added.

According to requirements listed on the Impact Grant site, a team of trained volunteers will review and evaluate proposals in consideration of their alignment with at least one of the five DEI goals, outcomes identified by each unit, rigorous assessment and unit support.

While there are no funding limits placed on proposals, submitters should demonstrate unit support and capacity for assuming program costs over time, Humphrey said.

Grantees will take part in a community of practice (CoP) to share and grow in community with other colleagues across CU Boulder. This CoP will also serve as a space to share successes and lessons learned during program or initiative implementation.

Recipients will submit an evaluative report within 60 days of the conclusion of the funded initiative or program that describes activities supported; assesses project outcomes; details any project improvements and future plans for building upon the initiative or program.