We welcome applications from individuals and groups within the collegiate University. Students are welcome to be part of an application, but project leads must be an academic, research, teaching or professional services staff member in the collegiate University. Funds for any successful application will be administered by the project lead's department or college.
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 grants to initiatives aimed at furthering this commitment, with the aim of delivering culture change across the collegiate University.
In light of the upcoming launch of a collegiate University EDI strategic plan, we are currently revising the timetable and updating the criteria for the next round of the Diversity Fund. We will be publishing the new deadline and criteria once they are finalised. We advise those interested in making an application to wait for this update before submitting.
Thank you for your interest in the Diversity Fund.
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.
Although all ideas are welcome, this year we are particularly encouraging applications that are related to the following areas:
- the prevention of bullying and harassment;
- the promotion of a diverse and supportive intellectual community that engages with questions of diversity and equality; and
- training and leadership development for staff and/or students concerning equality, diversity and inclusion.
Please note that the below criteria is currently being revised. We will be publishing the new deadline and criteria once they are finalised.
Applications should show how the proposed project:
- contribute to the institution's equality and diversity priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan;
- generates impact, through benefit to staff and/or students across a number of departments/divisions/colleges;
- makes a new or distinctive contribution to current efforts; and
- could be sustained beyond the initial funding period.
Applicants may consider potential impact as including, among other things:
- promoting knowledge, confidence and collaboration;
- cultivating a sense of community and belonging;
- sharing good practice and role-modelling leadership; and
- creating plans for external engagement and influence.
Funding is unlikely to be awarded for:
- Standalone events, with limited potential for demonstrable legacy;
- projects which benefits only a single department or college;
- activities which form part of the normal day-to-day operations of a department, division, or college;
- activities for which we would normally expect other financial support to exist within the University or externally, including funding for a member of staff; and
- activities which would require recurrent funding in order to continue beyond the initial funding period.
Proposed projects may 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.
Email your completed application form to equality@admin.ox.ac.uk. The form can also be found on the right-hand side of this webpage. You should receive an acknowledgement of your application from the EDU.
All applicants should consult with the Equality and Diversity Unit (EDU), who may suggest you develop your application with relevant colleagues.
Students are welcome to collaborate on applications, but all applications must have as their project lead a current academic, research, teaching or professional services staff member of the collegiate University.
The EDU (email diversity.fund@admin.ox.ac.uk) can give informal advice on the suitability of your proposal in the first instance.
Applications will be considered by a panel consisting of representatives from the academic Divisions, GLAM, Conference of Colleges and the EDU. The panel will be chaired by Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer.
Total funding of £70,000 is available. Within these limits, there is no upper or lower limit on the value of awards. Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that can help generate impact.
Funds must be spent within 12 months of awarding.
Applications will be considered 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.
