College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Call for Proposals for Departmental Diversity Grants
Application Deadline: March 19, 2015. Funding Period: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
PURPOSE OF DIVERSITY GRANTS
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences is funding a small grants program available to
departments within the college to promote creative ideas and projects focused on building an
inclusive environment in CLAHS departments at Virginia Tech.
All departments in the college aspire to become inclusive communities with the fullest possible
participation of students, faculty, and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds, encompassing
diversity of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion,
sexual orientation, and veteran status. The college recognizes that diversity invigorates and
enlivens the exchange of ideas, broadens scholarship, and contributes to just engagement in all
the world’s communities. The university is committed to creating programs and activities
designed to operate in and to promote a positive, welcoming educational and work environment
characterized by mutual respect, the right to express freely one’s opinion, civility, cultural
sensitivity, multiple perspectives, and a focus on creating and sustaining a just community.
The CLAHS Diversity Committee has suggested the following activities to focus college efforts
to build a diverse and inclusive community, although other activities may be proposed:
 Enhancing the place of diversity in departmental, CLAHS and university curricula
 Leadership in initiating and implementing public conversations about diversity
 Integrating diversity into scholarship, outreach, arts, and performance
 Recruitment and retention of faculty, students, and staff
 Classroom/laboratory climate for students, graduate and undergraduate
 Integration of diversity topics into classroom, lab, and studio activities
 Advancing diversity through activities and outreach with broad impact
 Support for diverse populations in and across departments, colleges and campus.
PRIORITIES FOR 2015-2016
In light of recent events, CLAHS Diversity Committee seeks proposals that address systemic,
cultural, and institutional factors that contribute to the disparities associated with race, gender,
and sexuality. Proposals for projects that promise sustained engagement to produce meaningful
steps toward equality, access, justice, and inclusion will be especially welcome. Proposal to
support student engagement in research and outreach and that align with Inclusive VT initiatives
from CLAHS are also given high priority.
FUNDS AVAILABLE
Funding will range from $2,500 to $10,000. Funds may be used only for expenses clearly and
directly related and necessary to implementation of the proposed project. No faculty salary will
be allowed. Applications with potential for external funding will be given high priority.
ELIGIBILITY
This program is open to all departments within CLAHS. Proposals may involve more than one
department. Participation by faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students is
encouraged, although faculty and staff should provide oversight and guidance for proposals to be
implemented primarily by students.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Departments may submit more than one proposal in any funding cycle. The department head or
chair must endorse all proposals. If a proposal involves more than one department, the head or
chair of each department must endorse the proposal. The proposal must include a one page
budget specifying the use of funds. A project plan must be submitted which shall not exceed 3-4
pages, single-spaced, including appropriate bibliographic references. The proposal also should
include biographical sketches of participants not to exceed 4 pages. Additional pages are
allowable for relevant appendices, including letters of support and IRB approval. An electronic
copy of the application must be submitted to Holly Cromer (hcromer@vt.edu). Deadline
for receipt of all applications is March 19, 2015 at 4 p.m.
APPLICATION
A complete application will include, in the following order:
1.
Cover Sheet
2.
Project Budget (itemization needed for all expenses)
3.
Project Plan (limited to 3 single-spaced pages, 12-point font), including bibliographic
references, which addresses the following topics:
A. Specific Aims
B. Project Design
C. Management Plan
D. Continuing Impact
4.
Biographical Sketches of Key Participants (limited to 4 pages)
5.
Appendices (if needed), including (limited to 4 pages):
A. Letters of Agreement/Support
B. IRB approval, if necessary and appropriate
REVIEW PROCESS
The CLAHS Diversity Committee will review all applications and will send a ranking of the
proposals to the Dean of CLAHS who will make the final selections.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
Recipients will be expected to share the project and its outcome with the CLAHS community. A
preliminary presentation to the Diversity Committee and CLAHS community will be scheduled
in April, 2016. A final report including results of the project, how it made a difference within
your department/unit in terms of supporting diversity and inclusion, and any recommendations
you might have to extend your project’s goals to other units within CLAHS or the university
must be submitted to the Dean of CLAHS no later than May 30, 2016.
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Department Diversity Grants Cover Sheet
Department:
Project Title:
Primary Contact
Name:
Campus Address:
Campus Mail Code:
Email:
Campus Phone:
IRB Approval Required:
Yes
No
Amount requested: __________________
Department Head / Chair Endorsement:
Signature
Date