EDI Project Fund for Students and Staff

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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 2025/26 EDI Project Fund. The fund is available to staff and students with grants normally ranging from €1,000 – €5,000. 

Deadline for applications – 17:00pm, 8th December 2025.

2025/26 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Project Fund

The 2025/26 EDI Project Fund will support activities which aim to build sustainable effective engagement with the EDI programmes of work and support the implementation of institutional policy objectives and actions as set out in the equality frameworks and action plans:  

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

We particularly welcome initiatives that demonstrate an intersectional approach and address multiple barriers to inclusion simultaneously, for example, recognising that the experience of members of our university community often results from the combined interaction of multiple identity characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age, and socio-economic background.

Preference will be given to projects which demonstrate the principles of Universal Design in so far as they will include and deliver impact to the greatest extent possible for all people regardless of their identity. 

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

1. Inclusive Curriculum

  • Initiatives to increase cultural competency and racial literacy to embed inclusive practices in curriculum development and in the delivery of teaching and assessment.
  • Activities such as hosting guest speakers or research projects, in partnership with a School or Centre, based on indigenous scholarship and/or scholarship from Middle Eastern, African, Asian and Latin American scholars, to be showcased or explored further at events and/or seminars during Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism week (23rd -27th March 2026).
  • Development of instructional design resources and tools which support inclusive educational practices such as UDL.
  • Projects that bring education on sexual harassment, sexual violence, and related issues into the heart of academic programs. Projects should connect these topics to the realities of each discipline — for example, teaching medical students about trauma-informed care, or exploring consent and power dynamics in creative practice and fieldwork.

2. Engagment

  • Initiatives that support and enable the full and meaningful inclusion of students from under-represented groups in all aspects of university life.
  • Projects that bring more people into the EDI conversation and foster collective ownership of this work. We particularly welcome initiatives under the themes “EDI is for Everyone” and “Engaging Men in EDI,” aimed at developing new groups, collaborations, or collectives that demonstrate the tangible benefits of an equitable and inclusive culture and promote lasting cultural change.
  • Peer learning initiatives
  • Initiatives that look at addressing sexual violence and harassment through the lens of minoritised experiences.
  • Actions or initiatives that strengthen a culture of respect and safety across the university by integrating sexual violence and harassment (SVH) prevention at all organisational levels.
  • Initiatives that expand consent education to reflect cultural, gender, and accessibility differences.
     

3. Identity & Voice 

  •  Projects that amplify the voice of students from under-represented groups in Higher Education and provide a space for them to share their lived experience and inform institutional practice.
  • Initiatives that foster discussion on addressing racism, far right mobilisation (Including online) or current conflicts around the globe, and in addition the ongoing genocide in Gaza; through seminars and events, in partnership with a School or Centre, to be held across the academic year, including during Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week.
  • Activities which promote a culture of Dignity & Respect and creates an environment where everyone feels valued, included and that they belong in University of Galway.

 

More Information - EDI Project Fund

What is the EDI Project Fund?

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 2025/26 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Project Fund are:

  • to build sustainable effective engagement with the EDI programmes of work and support the implementation of institutional policy objectives and actions as set out in the equality frameworks and action plans:   

What is the eligibility?

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.

How can I apply for a grant?

Applications must be submitted using the online application form here.

The closing date for receipt of applications us 17:00, 8th of December 2025

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

What is the assessment and selection process?

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.

 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.

What are the conditions of the offer?

Successful project recipients are required to sign an acceptance letter which will include but is not limited to:

  • Start date and completion date for project;
  • A named “Project Organiser” who will liaise with the OVPEDI in all matters relating to the project;
  • A statement of activities and actions to be delivered;
  • Funding amount and funding draw down arrangements;
  • A ‘D’ cost centre is provided to transfer the funds
  • Agreement that all payments must comply with the university’s Procurement, Payroll, Invoice and Reimbursement guidelines;
  • Project review, reporting and financial requirements.

Projects funded under the 2025/26 scheme must be completed by August 31st 2026, except in exceptional circumstances where an extension has been granted by the EDI Project Fund Sub-Committee.

Each project proposal must name a “Project Organiser” who will liaise with the OVPEDI in all matters relating to the project. The Project Organiser is responsible for:

  • The project's budget
  • implementing the project
  • ensuring that the project is completed in accordance with the EDI Fund Terms of Reference and relevant University policies
  • Submitting a final project report

In case of any query or difficulty arising with a project, the Project Organiser must contact the OVPEDI immediately. The OVPEDI will assist project organisers with:

  • Transferring funds to nominated cost centre
  • publicising projects
  • general advice and guidance

How will I receive the payment of grant? 

The awarded fund will be transferred to a ‘D’ cost centre nominated by the project organiser. All expenditure must be receipted and accounted for, and a final financial report provided as part of the EDI Project Fund Report. 

Will I need to complete a project report? 

All recipients must complete the EDI Project Fund Report provided upon completion of the project and submit it, together with any other specified documentation, to the OVPEDI. Project Organisers may also be requested to provide updates on their progress throughout the timeline of the project.