Call for Proposals

Overview

The Mission of the College of Health Sciences (CHS) Diversity & Inclusion Committee is to facilitate the development of a culture of belonging through advocating for diversity, inclusion, and justice. Our purpose is to cultivate an environment where all of our students, staff, faculty, and community members can live and work in openness and acceptance; an environment in which people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. To advance this mission, the College of Health Sciences DEI Fund was established in 2019. As one initiative of the CHS DEI Fund, the CHS Diversity & Inclusion Committee is pleased to accept proposals for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program Grant during the 2024-2025 academic year. Information regarding areas of emphasis, award criteria, funding level, deadlines, and proposal guidelines can be found in this document. Please contact Dr. Janice Kuperstein at jkupe0@uky.edu for questions regarding the 2024-2025 DEI Program Grant.

DEI Grants Emphasis Areas

We seek innovative proposals from CHS faculty, staff, students, or groups that will facilitate the development of a culture of belonging through embracing diversity and inclusion within the college. Proposals should foster collaborative programming and partnerships and may focus on creating new capacity or enhancing existing efforts. For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, proposals aligned with the following emphasis areas will be given priority:

• Sustainable programs that increase awareness and appreciation for a diverse and inclusive community.
• Initiatives that focus on a broad constituency in the College, rather than a single unit.
• Initiatives that will educate the CHS community and others on issues of social justice, diversity, intercultural dialogue and communication.
• Strategies to increase belonging and engagement of marginalized, historically underrepresented and minority groups.

Award Criteria

Preference is given to proposals that:

1. serve as models for replication and sustainability throughout the College and campus community,
2. are inclusive of diverse populations across various identities,
3. demonstrate collaborative partnerships within the college (interdepartmental; representation of students/faculty/staff; although they may include other groups, centers, programs, registered student organizations…)
4. are new programs or extend the success or increase the impact of programs or events within CHS.
5. incorporate outcome measures related to the effectiveness of developing or facilitating a culture of belonging within the college

These criteria will be evaluated by a subcommittee of the CHS Diversity & Inclusivity Committee to make award decisions during the 2024-2025 grant cycle.

Funding

Funding for the DEI Program Grant depends on the number of proposals and the amount of funds available. For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, the CHS Diversity & Inclusivity Committee anticipates funding one to three awards for up to $10,000 each. Funds must be accessed and utilized using a University of Kentucky cost center by August 31, 2025.

An itemized budget must be provided within the proposal, along with a stated timeline that coincides with the stated purpose. All funds must be used for the intended purpose. Funds may not be used to pay University staff, faculty, administrators, or students. Funds may be used for existing programs where funds are currently available, but the proposal must clearly justify how these funds would significantly extend or increase the impact of the program. Grantees are required to disclose any additional funding received for their programs.

Please Note: Funding will not be awarded to proposals related to research projects, travel, or membership dues to academic or professional organizations.

Application Deadlines

The Call for Proposals includes one cycle for funding to be used by 8/31/2025. Specific details are as follows:

Application Cycle – Award for Spring 2024 through Summer 2025

• Proposals open on February 10, 2024 and due by 5:00PM EST on March 29, 2024
• Notice of funding by April 12, 2025
• Funds will be available by April 15, 2024 (to be used by 8/31/2025)

Completed applications may be submitted electronically to the chair of the CHS Diversity & Inclusivity Committee DEI Program Fund committee, Dr. Janice Kuperstein at jkupe0@uky.edu , and all components must be received in order to be considered. Proposals will be reviewed and approved or denied within the notice of funding timeframes specified above by the CHS Diversity & Inclusivity Committee. All projects that receive grant funding must be completed prior to August 31, 2025. If you have questions regarding the proposal process, please call (859) 218-0593.

Click here to download CHS DEI Grant Proposal Guidelines

Grant Proposal Budget Template