Diversity Grant Guidelines
2015-2016
Submit completed application to Susan Hill, Chair, Mini Grant Subcommittee, The
Center for Excellence in Teaching of Learning, 0460
Name:
Department/Area:
Date:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Application deadlines for 2015-2016 Grants are November 1, 2015; and February 1, March 1
and April 1, 2016.
Application
Diversity Grants are awarded by the Diversity and Inclusion Council to UNI projects and events
that enhance awareness of and education about issues of diversity at UNI. Diversity Grants
align with the definition, mission and vision of diversity at UNI. At UNI, “diversity describes the
rich differences that people bring to the University of Northern Iowa community. It can refer
broadly to culture, identity and ideology, or more specifically to age, gender, race, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, religion, ability, gender identity, socioeconomic status, political affiliation,
marital status, national origin, or veteran status” (Diversity Matters website). Projects and
events that specifically address these rich differences, that work to create “a more welcoming
community,” and that prepare “students to thrive in a diverse, global environment” are
encouraged (Diversity Matters website). Depending on the project or event, Diversity Grant
recipients will be asked to share their findings with the UNI community.
In accordance with Diversity and Inclusion Council goals for the 2015-16 academic year,
grants targeting efforts to retain students of color at the University will be given first
priority. While retention is the focus, we are open to hearing rationales from program
planners as to how their planned program makes such a contribution.
Specific guidelines for different kinds of Diversity Grants:
Please indicate the type of diversity grant for which you are applying:
________ Speakers: Grants for up to $1,000 to promote and support activities which enhance
student, staff and faculty development regarding diversity. Funds could be used to
provide honorariums or supplement fees of speakers from peer institutions or the
Midwest presenting on diversity initiatives, i.e. initiatives that have worked at other
campuses; best practices at other institutions; or integrating diversity initiatives into
campus wide practices; or similar topics related to diversity initiatives.
________ Course Development: Faculty grants for up to $1000 will be awarded for developing
a new course, or significantly revamping an existing course, to be taught at UNI,
that specifically address issues of diversity. Courses can come from any discipline
or area. Course design must draw on pedagogical theory and address at least three
issues highlighted in the definition of diversity at UNI. Courses must have clearly
outlined learning goals and a Student Outcomes Assessment plan. Faculty who
receive these grants will give a public presentation on the course the semester after
its first offering. In the application for course development diversity grants, please
include the appropriate endorsement (from departmental curriculum committee or
department head, for example) that this course will be able to be taught on an
experimental basis after its development. All courses that receive Course
Development grants will need to go through the appropriate curricular processes. If
faculty receiving course development grants also have UNI support for scholarly,
research or creative work, including course development assignments, they should
check with the department head or the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs to make
sure the award does not exceed the limit for special compensation (UNI Policy 4.41
at http://www.uni.edu/policies/441).
________ Faculty Development: Grants for up to $500 for programs that assist faculty in
learning how to address issues of diversity and inclusion in the classroom. Funds
could be used for events such as reading groups, for hiring facilitators to teach
faculty how to infuse diversity in the classroom, attending workshops at other
institutions, etc. Faculty receiving these funds will give a public presentation on
what they’ve learned.
________ Community Relations: Grants up to $500 to develop collaboration (directly and
indirectly) with communities and organizations in the Cedar Valley. (i.e. student
organization participation in recruitment or service activities; departmental initiatives
promoting outreach in local area).
________ Retention: Grants up to $1000 to support activities designed to assist in the
retention of diverse students, staff and faculty. (i.e. mentoring programs/activities
for promoting the retention of students, staff and faculty; recognition/graduation
activities for seniors and graduate students.)
________ Conference Travel: Grants up to $300 each for a maximum of 5 students ($1500) to
attend conferences on diversity-related issues. Students will give a public
presentation on what they learned upon their return. Budget for conference travel
must include transportation, registration, and hotel costs.
________ Other: Grants for other activities that seek to enhance awareness of and education
about issues of diversity at UNI will also be considered.
All funds awarded must be spent by June 15, 2016.
Project Title:
Have you or the organization you represent received Diversity Mini-Grant Funding previously? If
so, what was the date and title of the project, and the amount received?
One Sentence Project Description:
Specific Dollar Amount Requested: $
Project Narrative
Please print and attach a narrative to this application. Maximum length is three pages,
double-spaced.
The three-page application narrative will:
 Clearly state how this event/project contributes to awareness of and education about
diversity at UNI;
 Be complete and well-written;
 Describe project goals and objectives clearly;
 Provide a detailed, realistic timeline for completion of the project;
 Provide a detailed, realistic budget for your project. Since the events/projects funded by
diversity grants are varied, please be as specific as possible in your budget.
Applicant Signature
__________________________
Date __________
Department Head/Supervisor Signature _____________________
Date ________
Information for Grant Recipients
Grant recipients must submit a follow-up report of one double-spaced page in length by
June 15, 2016, and before applying for further Diversity Mini-Grants. The reports
should be submitted to Gwenne Berry at gwenne.berry@uni.edu. This report should
summarize the event/project and its contribution to enhancing diversity education at
UNI. For those grants for which public presentations are required, the follow-up report
should indicate when such a public presentation will occur. Failure to submit the
follow-up report will make the recipient ineligible for subsequent Diversity Grant
consideration.
Any publicity relating to an event or project awarded a Diversity Grant must include
recognition of the Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Contact Susan Hill (susan.hill@uni.edu) or Gwenne Berry (gwenne.berry@uni.edu) with
questions.