Program Overview
The College of Biological Sciences (CBS) offers microgrants to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), recognizing that the College has room to improve in each of these areas. Historically, many members of the CBS community have held undeserved privilege. We seek to achieve inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff; we are committed to the foundational scientific practice of examining assumptions and biases. We believe that a self-aware science community, active institutional efforts, and individual advocacy will help remove barriers for the success of all community members across differences, including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, geography, and socioeconomic status or background.
The CBS Dean's Office has allocated $75,000 of strategic initiative funds to support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) (see definitions below) microgrants, with the goal of recognizing and advancing the grassroots DEIJ work happening throughout the College.
Microgrant Scope and Goals
The CBS DEIJ microgrants aim to fund innovative work serving our traditionally underrepresented and/or marginalized groups (see definitions below). Microgrants should target people who identify with marginalized groups in ways that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in the extended CBS community.
We welcome proposals for all types of projects. We especially encourage projects that align with the CBS anti-racism working group recommendations and the Office of Equity and Diversity's strategic priorities, which seek to (1) increase representational diversity; (2) improve campus climate; and (3) build, support, and align partnerships that are inclusive and supportive of diversity.
Some examples:
- Dismantling barriers that prohibit people within CBS from reaching their full potential.
- Expanding the understanding of issues affecting marginalized communities.
- Increasing access and equity of marginalized populations.
- Encouraging a welcoming and inclusive environment.